Roger Federer beats Kyle Anderson to remain on course in Rome

Roger Federer has moved one step closer to winning his maiden Italian Open title by easing past Kyle Anderson in straight sets.

The second seed progressed through to the quarter-finals in a little over an hour with a 6-3 7-5 victory in Rome.

A three-time finalist in the competition, Federer held his serve throughout the opening set to storm ahead.

Anderson made a fight of it in the second set, breaking his Swiss opponent on a couple of occasions, but Federer, who missed three match points, finally managed to get the job done to advance through.

Either Tomas Berdych or home favourite Fabio Fognini awaits in the next round.