Ninth seed David Ferrer recovered from a disappointing start to beat Sergiy Stakhovsky 5-7 6-3 6-4 6-2 in the second round of the Australian Open.

The first set progressed with serve until the 10th game when, with Ferrer leading 5-4, the Spaniard wasted four set points.

Stakhovsky would make his opponent pay for the mistake quickly by breaking in the next game, before serving out to clinch the opener.

After losing the first set for the second time in two matches, Ferrer responded impressively to limit the chances on offer to Stakhovsky, and his defensive abilities frustrated the Ukrainian, whose first break of serve proved to be crucial as the match was tied.

The world number 71 was on the back foot for the majority of rallies after Ferrer's unconvincing start, and his struggles on serve invited more pressure and two breaks of serve in the third set.

Ferrer's charge was momentarily halted when Stakhovsky broke to love, but the two-time Australian Open semi-finalist held his nerve to take a 2-1 lead.

The experience of Ferrer was vital as Stakhovsky started to take more risks in an attempt to keep the match alive in a fourth set which tipped in the favour of the Spaniard thanks to a break in the fifth game.

Stakhovsky had the chance to hit back in the next game at 15-40, but two forced errors allowed Ferrer to get out of trouble.

There would be no further openings for Stakhovsky, who was broken once again, and it was left to Ferrer to secure a third-round meeting with Gilles Simon by converting match point at the third attempt.