Tomas Berdych has reached the third round of the Rome Masters thanks to a straight-sets victory over Denis Istomin.
In the first nine games there was just one break point afforded and that was by Berdych in the third game but he managed to hold serve.
In the 10th game Istomin was serving to stay in the set for the first time and he couldn't hold on as Berdych stole the set at the second time of asking.
The second set was a much simpler affair for the sixth seed. He broke the Uzbek on three occasions on his way to a 6-0 success, wrapping up the match in one hour and nine minutes.
The Czech will next face South African Kevin Anderson, who knocked out 11th seed Marin Cilic earlier today.
Written by
Pascal Lemesre
Pascal Lemesre
