Sydney NSW, Australia, 7 January 2014 | AAP & tennis.com.au

Australia’s Marinko Matosevic has taken full advantage of his wildcard into the Sydney International, moving into the second round with a three-set win over Florian Mayer on Tuesday.

The world No.56 Matosevic belied his ranking with a 6-2 4-6 6-3 win over the German No.38.

Matosevic enjoyed two breaks of serve in the first set before Mayer bounced back to level the match in second.

With the decider locked at three games apiece Matosevic reeled off ten straight points to all but seal the match.

Compatriot Sam Groth couldn’t take advantage of his wildcard, the journeyman eliminated by veteran Radek Stepanek.

Groth, fresh from a quarter-final appearance at the Brisbane International, had his chances against the Czech Davis Cup hero before succumbing 6-7 (8-6) 7-6 (7-5) 6-2.

The towering Victorian, ranked at a career-high No.157, had chances to go up a crucial break in the second set and also led 4-2 in the ensuing tie-breaker before letting his advantage slip.

Stepanek, who won the decisive singles rubber to secure the Czechs a Davis Cup win against Serbia last year, kicked things up a notch in the final set to close out the match.