Spanish number two David Ferrer has admitted that he was given a "tough" match by American Tim Smyczek at the Australian Open earlier today.

The 30-year-old eventually booked his place in round three courtesy of a four-set victory, although he did commit a number of errors throughout the encounter.

Heading into the match these two players had never met and Ferrer believes that it was a major factor behind the mistakes that he was forced into making.

"It was tough. [I played] very good in the first half of the second set. I started very good but he was playing better in the third," said Ferrer.

"[Smyczek] is a very good player, I've never played against him before and he has a really good backhand, he received well and I like his game."

Ferrer has never gone beyond the semi-finals in Melbourne.