Tomas Berdych is the first man into the third round of the Australian Open thanks to a decisive victory over Frenchman Kenny De Schepper.

The Czech seventh seed beat De Schepper 6-4 6-1 6-3, his second straight-sets win in as many matches.

In a match played in conditions even more oppressive than those of Tuesday in which players vomited, ball kids fainted and dozens of fans needed medical attention, Berdych handled both the heat and his opponent the better.

The Bureau of Meteorology recorded temperatures above 40 degrees soon after noon at Melbourne Park, but still organisers have declined to call of play or close the roofs of the main stadiums.

The highlight of the day-three men’s program is he appearance of second seed and defending champion Novak Djokovic, who meets Argentina’s Leonardo Mayer.

Djokovic has attracted the interest of one cashed up punter who has plunged $50,000 on him to win a mere $500 in Wednesday’s match.