Tomas Berdych advanced to the third round of the US Open for a fourth consecutive year after seeing off Austrian Jurgen Melzer 7-6 (7-2) 6-1 6-3.

Czech sixth seed Berdych - a semi-finalist at Flushing Meadows in 2012 - was tested early in a tie-break but coasted to victory in the remaining two sets on Thursday.

Berdych, who improved his career record at the US Open to 30 victories and 12 losses, doubled the number of Melzer's winners with 34 in a strong showing.

Standing in the way of Berdych and a spot in the fourth round is 31st seed Guillermo Garcia-Lopez.

The opening set on court 17 in New York was tightly contested, with the stanza going on serve through to the tie-break.

Berdych - 14-3 in tie-breaks this year - flexed his muscles with a forehand winner to wrap up the opening set as veteran 34-year-old Melzer was made to pay for three unforced errors.

The second set was much more straightforward for Berdych, who converted both break-point opportunities and fired down five aces to earn a commanding two-sets-to-love lead.

And it was more of the same in the third, though Melzer - often frustrated with himself and the chair umpire - put up more of a fight, as Berdych executed a classy backhand down the line to break serve and win the match.