Two-time winner Novak Djokovic reached the third round of the Rome Masters with a hard-fought victory over Radek Stepanek this afternoon.
The second seed got off to the worst possible start today as Czech Stepanek raced out to a 0-40 lead on Djokovic's serve before converting on his third break point.
Stepanek then had seven game points to consolidate the break in the next game but couldn't take any of them as Djokovic broke straight back with his first break point.
The Serb then broke again to take a 4-2 lead before serving out the opener 6-3.
In the second Djokovic made an early breakthrough but then wavered towards the end of the set, finally taking it 7-5 after some unconvincing service games.
The 2008 and 2011 champion will next face either Tommy Robredo or Philipp Kohlschreiber in the last 16.
Pascal Lemesre
