American James Blake found popularity contests don't always win you tennis matches as he was outgunned by Spaniard Tommy Robredo in straight sets at the Australian Open on Friday night.

Robredo, the 17th seed, played inspired tennis to oust 20th seed Blake - one of the most popular non-Australian players at Melbourne Park - 6-3 6-4 6-4 in their third round match.

Blake, who won the Sydney International leading into the Open, had no answers to Robredo's exceptional shot-making throughout the contest.

He made 46 unforced errors to Robredo's 14 and watched the Spaniard dismantle his game comprehensively from go to whoa.

Robredo's fourth round opponent will be fourth seed David Nalbandian, who posted a four-set victory over Finn Jarkko Nieminen earlier on Friday.

Seventh seed Ivan Ljubicic and 10th seed Thomas Johansson posted straight set wins on Friday night to set up an intriguing fourth round clash.

Croatia's Ljubicic whipped 31st seed Feliciano Lopez of Spain 7-5 7-6 (7-5) 6-0, while former Open champion Johansson beat Frenchman Gilles Simon 6-3 6-2 6-1.

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