Day Four Recap: Gavrilova through, Djoker crashes out

Daria Gavrilova has worked her way into the third round of the Australian Open with a hard-fought 6-2 1-6 6-4 win over Croatian teen Ana Konjuh.

The feisty 22-year-old Australian is on target to match her fourth-round appearance last year with her victory on Thursday night over the world No.36.

Ranked No.23, Gavrilova next faces 12th seed Timea Bacsinszky of Switzerland.

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Gavrilova celebrates. Pic: Getty

The Hisense Arena match was a rollercoaster with Gavrilova breaking Konjuh in the first game of the final set and holding on to serve out the match.

Gavrilova said she was happy with the way she kept her cool when momentum swung against her mid-match.

"I'm very proud of myself," the Russian-born baseliner said.

The big news from earlier, reigning champion Novak Djokovic was knocked out of the Open after a bewildering display from Uzbek wildcard Denis Istomin.

The world No.117, who had never beaten a player inside the top 10, aggressively went after the second seed from the outset before sealing the 7-6 (10-8) 5-7 2-6 7-6 (7-5) 6-4 victory on Thursday in four hours and 48 minutes.

It's the first time 12-time grand slam champion Djokovic has failed to make the third round of a major since Wimbledon in 2008.

Istomin, who warmed up for the Australian Open at the $70,000 Bangkok Challenger, was on the attack from the outset.

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Istomin celebrates. Pic: Getty

"First of all I feel sorry for Novak I was playing so good today," 30-year-old Istomin said.

"I surprised myself as well today.

"I'd like to thank my team, mum, we did a good job."

In rare scenes, Djokovic often looked frustrated and shaky, particularly towards the back end of the game.

"Whenever he needed it he came up with big serves and big plays," Djokovic said.

"All I can say is, hands down. I never underestimate any opponent, it doesn't matter which tournament I play in or what round.

"I have respect for everyone. Him playing that well, it's amazing."

Djokovic appeared frustrated. Pic: Getty

Meanwhile, unheralded Croatian Mirjana Lucic-Baroni has dumped No.3 seed Agnieszka Radwanska out of the Australian Open in straight sets.

Lucic-Baroni, ranked 79th in the world, attacked Radwanska's serve from the outset, breaking her three times in the first set before going on to claim a 6-3 6-2 win on Margaret Court Arena.

Radwanska in action. Pic: Getty

No.2 seed Serena Williams marched on however, overcoming a stern challenge from Czech Lucie Safarova to advance to the third round in straight sets.

Williams produced the first service break of an enthralling first set to go 5-3 up and held sway from there to claim a 6-3 6-4 win on Thursday night on Rod Laver Arena.

Williams will play compatriot Nicole Gibbs, who has defeated fellow American Irina Falconi to reach the third round.

Williams. Pic: Getty

Unfortunately, Jordan Thompson's fighting spirit wasn't enough to quell Austrian star Dominic Thiem in their second round Australian Open battle.

Thompson looked down and out early against the eighth seed but refused to go quietly and forced the match into a fourth set before falling 6-2 6-1 6-7 (8-6) 6-4.

The 22-year-old Sydneysider clawed his way back in the first round from two sets to love down to upset Joao Sousa, but couldn't conjure the same miracle result.

Thompson. Pic: Getty

Rafa Nadal made easy work of Marcos Baghdatis in the final match of the night, winning 6-3 6-1 6-3.

He says his body is finally feeling good and now he goes on to face Sascha Zverev.

Earlier on Night Four, Aussie Andrew Whittington went down to Ivo Karlovic 6-4 6-4 6-4.

The Croatian giant moves on to the third round in Melbourne for the first time since 2012.

Whittington frustrated as he goes down. Pic: Getty