Jeremy Chardy knocks out Kei Nishikori

Jeremy Chardy advanced through to round three of the Rome International this afternoon courtesy of a 6-4 6-1 victory of Japan's Kei Nishikori.

Both players held their service games during the opening exchanges, but a late break of serve from Frenchman Chardy allowed him to claim the opening set in just 41 minutes.

It was not as close in the second set though, thanks largely to the fact that Nishikori committed a string of unforced errors.

That allowed Chardy to break on two occasions as he booked his place in the next round, where he will take on Marcel Granollers.