Munich, Germany, 29 April 2014 | tennis.com.au

Marinko Matosevic has sneaked through to the second round of the ATP event in Munich after opponent Michal Przysiezny was forced to retire with a right ankle injury.

Having dropped the first set, Matosevic was leading 6-5 in the second before the Pole ended the match.

It was a lucky escape for the Australian, who was staring down the barrel of a 6-2 5-1 deficit but managed to claw his way back to 5-4.

During the 10th game, Przysiezny tumbled to the court and called for the trainer, and two games later, decided he could not continue.

Matosevic will play the winner of Tuesday’s match bewteen fifth seed Philipp Kohlschreiber and Uzbek Denis Istomin.

His compatriot Lleyton Hewitt will also be in action on Tuesday, battling Spanish qualifier Albert Ramos.