Rafael Nadal made light work of Marsel Ilhan to cruise into the third round of the Italian Open in Rome this afternoon.
The clay-court specialist dropped to seventh in the world standings yesterday, but stormed into a 5-1 lead in the opening set against Ilhan.
The Turk found himself 0-40 down in the next game, but managed to save four set points to give himself a stay of execution. Nadal took the next game to love, however, wrapping up the first set 6-2.
The second was even more straightforward for the Spaniard, who broke Ilhan in all three of his service games while holding his own to wrap up a 6-2 6-0 success in just over half an hour.
Nadal will face either John Isner or Leonardo Mayer in the next round.
Written by
Barney Corkhill
Barney Corkhill
