Seventh seed Goffin crashes out of Australian Open

Julien Benneteau prevailed 1-6, 7-6 (5), 6-1, 7-6 (4) in 2hr 54 min to claim his second win over David Goffin in three encounters.

Belgium's David Goffin crashed out after losing to Frenchman Julien Benneteau.

Belgian seventh seed David Goffin crashed out of the Australian Open Thursday, losing to Frenchman Julien Benneteau in the second round.

Goffin won the opening set but was edged out in a tight tiebreaker for the second set which proved pivotal in the gruelling heat.

Benneteau prevailed 1-6, 7-6 (7/5), 6-1, 7-6 (7/4) in 2hr 54 min to claim his second win over Goffin in three encounters.

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Goffin took the fourth set into a tiebreaker but left-hander Benneteau brought up two match points and claimed victory when the Belgian hit long.

Benneteau, who reached the third round in Melbourne for the fourth time, will next play Italy's 25th seed Fabio Fognini.

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It was the first time Goffin had faced a Frenchman since Belgium lost to France 3-2 in the Davis Cup final in Lille in November.