Rome Masters: Fils knocks out Tsitsipas to power into last 16

Arthur Fils, the No 13 seed, defeated world No 19 Stefanos Tsitsipas 2-6, 6-4, 6-2 to advance to the last 16 of the Rome Masters at the Foro Italico.

The Frenchman had to battle back from a set down against the Greek former finalist, conceding the first with two losses of serve without reply as Tsitsipas looked well on top.

But it was all change from the second stanza onwards as Fils broke once in the second and twice in the third set without reply to complete an impressive recovery and move in the last 16.

There was a heated exchange at the net after the match, as Tsitsipas appeared to take issue with Fils’ response to a body shot the Greek played mid-way through the match.

But Fils clarified after that the pair had cleared the air, with no further bad blood between the two.

Fils, ranked No 14, will face the winner of the match between Lithuanian qualifier Vilius Gaubas and German Alexander Zverev, the second seed, next.

The 20-year-old Frenchman defeated Dutchman Tallon Griekspoor (6-2, 6-2) ahead of his victory.

In the previous round of the Italian Open, Tsitsipas, ranked No 19, won against Frenchman Alexandre Muller (6-2, 7-6 (3)).

Rome Masters 1000, other third-round results (Foro Italico, clay, EUR 8.055.385, most recent results first):

• Hugo Dellien vs. Alex De Minaur
• Tommy Paul vs. Tomas Machac
• Jakub Mensik vs. Fabian Marozsan
• Marcos Giron vs. Hubert Hurkacz
• Matteo Berrettini vs. Casper Ruud
• Jaume Munar vs. Sebastian Korda
• Francisco Cerundolo vs. Sebastian Ofner
• Jannik Sinner vs. Jesper De Jong
• Laslo Djere vs. Carlos Alcaraz
• Francesco Passaro vs. Karen Khachanov
• Vilius Gaubas vs. Alexander Zverev
• Jack Draper vs. Vit Kopriva
• Lorenzo Musetti vs. Brandon Nakashima
• Corentin Moutet vs. Holger Rune: sunday
• Daniil Medvedev (10) beat Alexei Popyrin (24): 6-4, 6-1