Federer advances in Rome

Rome, May 11: World No.2 Roger Federer got the better of Alexander Zverev 6-3, 7-5 at the Interzioli BNL d’Italia tennis tourment here on Wednesday.

The third seed broke the 19-year-old Zverev for a 4-2 lead in the first set, then closed out the 29-minute opener on his third set point opportunity.

Federer broke once more for a 2-1 lead, but Zverev responded immediately in a nine-point game. Federer converted his fourth break point chance in the 11th game and went on to complete victory in 87 minutes.

Federer is a four time runners-up in the tourment.

The Swiss superstar will now take on No. 13 seed Dominic Thiem, who was a 6-3, 6-2 winner over Joao Sousa earlier on Wednesday.

Meanwhile Spanish woman tennis player Garbine Muguruza defeated Russian Ekateri Makarova to reach the last 16 of the Italian Open here on Wednesday.

The Spanish third-seed and world No.4 beat world No.29 Makarova 6-1, 6-0 in 48 minutes, reports Efe.

In the quarter-fil, Muguruza will face Latvian Jele Ostapenko who defeated Puerto Rican Monica Puig.

Earlier on TuesdayWorld number one Sere Williams has started her clay-court season in domint style, beating An-Le Friedsam in straight sets in the second round of the Italian Open.

Williams, who missed the Madrid Open last week due to a fever, recorded a 6-4, 6-3 win over the 51st-ranked rival to reach the third round of the women’s singles event. (IANS)