Roger Federer has started his Italian Open campaign with a straight-sets victory over Alexander Zverev.
The match between the 17-time Grand Slam champion and the player who many regard as the biggest prospect in the sport was highly anticipated, but it was Federer who dominated for large periods of their showdown in Rome.
The 34-year-old dropped just four points on serve as he eased through the opening set and he appeared on course for an easy route through to the last 16 when breaking serve at the start of the second.
His 19-year-old opponent broke back before taking the set to 5-5, but Federer struck again during the closing stages to complete a 6-3 7-5 triumph.
The four-time Italian Open finalist will face Dominic Thiem for a place in the quarter-finals.
Darren Plant
