Melbourne VIC, Australia, 13 January 2018 | AAP

Bernard Tomic is on track to reach the Australian Open main draw after surviving a major scare in his second-round qualifying match-up with American Tommy Paul.

Tomic won 6-0 6-7 (5) 7-6 (4) over the 20-year-old in two hours and 11 minutes, steadying on Saturday after his first qualifying wobble.

The Queenslander stormed through the opening set in 22 minutes and looked like sailing through at 5-2 in the second set, but dropped his serve and then a tiebreaker to the emboldened American, before recovering to claim victory.

Tomic, targeting a return to the main draw for the tenth consecutive year, will face Italian world No.217 Lorenzo Sonego in the final round of qualifying at Melbourne Park.