Djokovic prevails in 'brutal' furnace

MELBOURNE - Six-time champion Novak Djokovic survived the "brutal" Rod Laver Arena furnace to reach the Australian Open third round with a 4-6, 6-3, 6-1, 6-3 victory over Gael Monfils on Thursday.

With temperatures peaking at 39.9 C and reports of 69 C being measured on the court surface, Djokovic recovered from a woeful start to take his record over the unseeded Frenchman to 15-0.

Djokovic, playing his first tournament for six months because of an elbow problem, dropped his opening two service games and although he battled back to break Monfils twice he wavered again as a scrappy opener went his opponent's way.