Hewitt has too much for Dancevic

Lleyton Hewitt produced a much improved display in the second round of the Australian Open but still believes he can play even better.

Hewitt beat Canadian Frank Dancevic 6-4 6-4 3-6 6-4 to make it through to the last 32.

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The number 19 seed is aiming to become the first homegrown winner of the event in over 30 years and found some form at the second attempt after a lacklustre five-set win over American Michael Russell in the first stage.

But despite showing flashes of his best tennis Hewitt insists there is more to come.

He said: "I didn't serve well today, I got my first serve in but my second serve wasn't there.

"That's disappointing but it's nice to come through those matches with not everything clicking and in the fourth set I served a lot better when I needed to."

Number five seed James Blake also booked his place in the third round as he eased past fellow American Alex Kuznetsov 6-4 6-1 6-2.

Blake came through a tricky first-round draw against Spain's Carlos Moya and again showed his promise on day four, making light work of Kuznetsov.

That win sets up a match with Blake's friend and practise partner Robby Ginepri in the last 32.

And despite being 45 places ahead of Ginepri in the world rankings, Blake is not expecting an easy ride.

"It could be interesting," said Blake of his second successive match against an American opponent.

"We've been practising together here so I know to be fearful and very respectful of a match-up with him because although he's ranked about 50 now, I know he has the talent in him to be a top-10 player."

Ginepri confirmed his potential by finishing strongly in his 6-4 7-5 6-1 win over Mischa Zverev.

In a good day for the top-ranked players, number eight seed David Nalbandian and number 13 seed Tomas Berdych also progressed.

Argentina's Nalbandian impressed, recording a straight sets win over Ecuador's Nicolas Lapentti.

Nalbandian won 6-4 6-4 6-4 as he refused to let his fellow South American into the match.

Czech star Berdych beat Australian wild card play-off winner Robert Smeets 6-3 6-2 6-4 and set up a clash against number 21 seed Dmitry Tursonov.

Tursonov was another straight-sets winner when he beat Max Mirnyi 6-2 6-3 7-6(7-4).

Sebastien Grosjean won a marathon five-set match with Belgium's Olivier Rochus when he came from behind to record a 4-6 6-1 6-3 4-6 6-4 victory.

Elsewhere Stanislas Wawrinka and Fabrice Santoro also won a place in the next round, seeing off Paul Capdeville and Arnaud Clement in their respective fixtures.