Britain’s Dan Evans battled to beat Argentine Facundo Bagnis in the Australian Open first round after a three-hour break because of extreme heat at Melbourne Park.

Evans had a two-sets-to-one lead when players were taken off all outside courts as temperatures reached 35C.

Cooler conditions returned at about 5pm local time and Evans wrapped up the match with a 6-4, 4-6, 6-4, 6-4 win.

Evans, 32, will play French veteran Jeremy Chardy in the second round.

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