Novak Djokovic’s game was back but question marks remain about his body after a straight-sets win over Albert Ramos-Vinolas in the third round of the Australian Open.

After his struggles in the heat against Gael Monfils, Djokovic looked much more assured in a 6-2 6-3 6-3 victory over his Spanish opponent. But Djokovic appeared to tweak something in his upper left leg or lower back at the end of the first set and twice needed treatment.

He said: “It was a straight sets win but almost two and a half hours, it wasn’t that easy, I had to earn all of my points. I knew Albert is a great fighter.

“For me it’s taking one match at a time. I had some incredible memories in Melbourne Park and that comes back every time I step out on the court but I have to be more humble with my expectations this time because I haven’t played for six months, but I’m very happy with where my game is.”

Having spent six months sidelined by an elbow problem, it is not surprising that Djokovic is experiencing a few physical niggles back in the heat of grand slam competition.

The problem did not affect him too badly, though, with Ramos-Vinolas unable to apply any real pressure as Djokovic moved through to a fourth-round clash with young Korean Chung Hyeon, who knocked out fourth seed Alexander Zverev in five sets.