• Rome Masters

Djokovic through to quarters in Rome

Novak Djokovic struggled with his serve © Getty Images

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Novak Djokovic made life hard for himself before eventually sealing his place in the quarter-finals at the Rome Masters by overcoming Thomaz Bellucci.

World No. 2 Djokovic was a break down in both sets, but he fought back to claim a 6-4 6-4 triumph that sets up a quarter-final tie against Fernando Verdasco.

The Serb got off to a sluggish start, losing his serve in the fourth game of the match as he was made to pay for his inability to land first deliveries accurately. He was able to claw back the deficit and claim two breaks, however, after stepping forward from the baseline to attack the Bellucci serve.

Although he struggled with his serve again in the second set, Djokovic was able to dominate the groundstroke exchanges by displaying a greater variety in his shotmaking than his opponent.

Djokovic, who is enjoying his 13th successive week at No. 2 in the world rankings, will know that he will need to come out of the blocks quicker if he is to reach his second successive final at the tournament.

Verdasco continues to look a fearsome prospect on clay after he breezed past fellow Spaniard Guillermo-Garcia Lopez 6-4 7-6(2). Sixth seed Verdasco, who has reached the final at his last two tournaments, claimed three breaks over the two sets as he sealed victory in a shade over two hours.

World No. 7 Robin Soderling slipped to a surprise exit at the hands Swiss dangerman Stanislas Wawrinka. The Swede failed to get his serve working and sent several poorly-timed forehands long as he lost 3-6 2-6.

Rafael Nadal continued his brilliant clay-court form with a comfortable 6-3 6-2 win over Victor Hanescu. The Spaniard's extra pace and power put him in control, although Hanescu did offer plenty of resistance and played his part in an entertaining match.

No. 7 seed Jo Wilfried-Tsonga made short work of Santiago Giraldo in a 6-3 6-4 win. Tsonga used his power advantage to overwhelm his opponent, sending down four aces and a glut of rocketed forehands.

Ernests Gulbis confessed that he would be short of peak physical condition in the quarters after edging a draining encounter against Filippo Volandri. "I don't know how I'm going to recover for tomorrow, it was so tough physically," he told Sky Sports. "I feel confident but not as fit anymore." Gulbis will play Feliciano Lopez - who moves through after scheduled opponent Ivan Ljubicic withdrew due to injury - in the next round.

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