Tomas Berdych has advanced into the third round of the Italian Open with a straight-sets win over local hopeful Matteo Donati.
Donati, a wildcard entry into the event, came from a set down to upset 49th-ranked Santiago Giraldo on an ATP Tour debut to remember.
However, the prospect of facing Berdych, world number five and a former Wimbledon finalist, was always going to throw up a sterner test for the 275th-ranked Italian, 20.
The disparity in the ATP rankings was evident early on as the Czech inflicted two breaks of serve in the first five games to lead 4-1, before ultimately closing out the first set 6-2.
With the odds stacked against him, Donati slipped to a 4-2 deficit but the home favourite refused to go quietly and soon trailed 5-4, before Berdych finished the job on his serve.
The Czech could dump another Italian out in the third round if Fabio Fognini gets past Grigor Dimitrov.
Shane Callaghan
