Rome Masters: Rune knocks out home hope Fognini to make last 16

Dane Holger Rune, the No 7 seed, reached the last 16 of the Rome Masters by winning against Italian wildcard Fabio Fognini 6-4, 6-2 at the Foro Italico on Sunday.

Rune, ranked No 7, will play Australian qualifier Alexei Popyrin next.

The 20-year-old Dane beat French qualifier Arthur Fils (6-3, 6-3) in the previous round of the Italian Open.

It was a positive tournament for Fognini, who was striking the ball confidently in his first two matches.

Earlier in the tournament, Fognini, ranked No 130, edged out Andy Murray (6-4, 4-6, 6-4) and won against Serb Miomir Kecmanovic, the No 30 seed (6-3, 7-6 (6)).

Ultimately, the youthful talent of Holger Rune proved a step too far on this occasion for the Italian veteran, who will now turn his attention to the French Open.

Rome Masters, other third-round results (Foro Italico, clay, EUR 7.705.780, most recent results first):

• Borna Coric vs. Roberto Carballes Baena
• Andrey Rublev vs. Alejandro Davidovich Fokina
• Alexander Shevchenko vs. Jannik Sinner
• Casper Ruud vs. Alexander Bublik
• Marton Fucsovics vs. Cameron Norrie
• Novak Djokovic vs. Grigor Dimitrov
• Laslo Djere vs. Cristian Garin
• Francisco Cerundolo (24) beat Gregoire Barrere: 6-7, 6-2, 6-2
• Alexei Popyrin beat Roman Safiullin (Q): 7-5, 7-5