Fifth-seeded Ferrer reaches 3rd round

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) -- Fourth-seeded David Ferrer has beaten American lucky loser Tim Smyczek 6-0, 7-5, 4-6, 6-3 to advance to the third round of the

David Ferrer took advantage of 77 unforced errors by Tim Smyczek on Wednesday :: Rob Griffith/AP

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) -- Fourth-seeded David Ferrer has beaten American lucky loser Tim Smyczek 6-0, 7-5, 4-6, 6-3 to advance to the third round of the Australian Open.

The 30-year-old Ferrer took advantage of 77 unforced errors by the 125th-ranked Smyczek, who lost in the qualifying tournament but received a spot in the main draw when fellow American John Isner pulled out.

Ferrer, who needed five match points to close out the match, reached the semifinals at Melbourne Park in 2011 and the quarterfinals last year.

The fifth-ranked Spaniard has played 41 consecutive Grand Slam tournaments since the 2003 Australian Open.