Nalbandian comes through against exhausted Tipsarevic

MELBOURNE, Jan 16 (Reuters) Argentina's David Nalbandian stared into the abyss at two sets down before progressing when Janko Tipsarevic retired through heat exhaustion trailing 2-1 in the final set in the Australian Open first round today.

The eighth-seeded Nalbandian, a semi-finalist last year, looked to be heading out as he struggled with a knee injury and an in-form world number 64, but he prevailed when the heat took its toll on the Serb with the score at 6-7 4-6 7-6 6-0 2-1 after three hours 19 minutes.

Nalbandian pulled out of the Kooyong Classic last week because of knee trouble and seemed to be in pain throughout the match, only looking a likely winner when he snatched the third set tiebreak.

Tipsarevic looked a spent force in the fourth set and finally called it a day when down a break at 2-1 in the fifth to hand the Argentine victory.

He faces Ecuador's Nicolas Lapentti for a place in the third round.

REUTERS PM BD1004