Fernando Verdasco has claimed that he has no other option but to produce his best form if he is to have a chance of beating Novak Djokovic in the third round of the Australian Open.

The Spaniard secured his progress in Melbourne with a straight-sets win over Go Soeda, and he admits that he will hope to catch top seed Djokovic on a bad day ahead of their meeting.

"About the next match, of course, is a match that I'll have nothing to lose and a lot to win," the 31st seed, who reached the semi-finals in 2009, told reporters.

"I will just go out there and try my best and fight every ball. Hopefully I will have my best day and he [does not]."

Verdasco has not reached the fourth round since 2011, while Djokovic is bidding for a fifth triumph in Melbourne.