Roger Federer admits his Australian Open comeback was harder than he expected after the 17-time grand slam champion battled past Jurgen Melzer to reach the second round.

Everything continues to fall nicely for Novak Djokovic as he looks forward to a third-round tie at Wimbledon.

CONOR NILAND and Louk Sorenson, Ireland’s top two-ranked tennis stars, last night qualified for the main draw of the US Open after victories in the third qualifying round at Flushing Meadows in New York.