Defending champion Rafael Nadal has progressed to the quarter-finals of the Rome Masters after a three-set victory over Ernests Gulbis.
Gulbis dominated the opening set, breaking Nadal twice to go 5-0 ahead. Nadal saved a set point before winning the sixth game, but Gulbis held his serve to take the first set 6-1.
The second set was more evenly matched, with both players holding their serves well, but world number five Nadal broke Gulbis to clinch it 7-5.
It was a similar story in the third set, but Gulbis committed several unforced errors to give Nadal the opportunity to break for the match.
Despite Gulbis saving two match points, the Spaniard won the third point to take the set 6-4 and book his place in the last eight of the tournament.
Written by
Steven Toplis
Steven Toplis
