Australian Open 2019: Federer battles through against Dan Evans

Britain's Dan Evans succumbed in three sets after pushing defending champion Roger Federer hard in an entertaining Australian Open second-round match, BBC Sport reports.

Evans, ranked 189th in the world, lost 7-6 (7-5) 7-6 (7-3) 6-3 against the 20-time Grand Slam champion.

But he never looked out of his depth, impressing the Rod Laver Arena with his shot-making.

Federer will play Taylor Fritz in the third round after the American dispatched France's Gael Monfils.

"I couldn't pull away early in the match - it helps when you can sneak in a quick break," said third seed Federer, who at 37 is aiming to become the first man to win seven Australian Open titles.

"He played very well. It was hard to pull away, to his credit. I thought I played well."

British number four Evans, ranked inside the top 50 before a drugs ban, is aiming to climb back up the rankings as he continues his comeback.

And the 28-year-old showed he still has all the tools to cause problems against the world's best.