Britain’s Dan Evans succumbed in three sets after pushing defending champion Roger Federer hard in an entertaining Australian Open second-round match.

Evans, ranked 189th in the world, lost 7-6 (7-5) 7-6 (7-3) 6-3 against the 20-time Grand Slam champion.

But he never looked out of his depth, impressing the Rod Laver Arena with his shot-making.

“I couldn’t pull away early in the match – it helps when you can sneak in a quick break,” said third seed Federer, who at 37 is aiming to become the first man to win seven Australian Open titles.

“He played very well. It was hard to pull away, to his credit. I thought I played well.”

Federer will play Taylor Fritz in the third round after the American dispatched France’s Gael Monfils.