Roger Federer cruises into Rome Masters quarter-finals

Roger Federer has cruised into the quarter-finals of the Rome Masters by beating Gilles Simon in straight sets.

The Swiss world number three blasted his way past the Frenchman 6-1 6-2 with just over an hour on the clock.

The 31-year-old will meet Jerzy Janowicz for a place in the semi-finals after the Pole stunned ninth seed Richard Gasquet in three sets.

Federer can replace Andy Murray as the world number two if he wins the tournament for the first time in his career.