Monday 9 May 2016 20:40, UK
Milos Raonic and Nick Kyrgios set up a mouthwatering second-round clash at the Internazionali BNL d'Italia in Rome after wins on Monday.
With the Masters 1000 roadshow rolling on to Rome less than 24 hours after Novak Djokovic's thrilling victory over Andy Murray, it was Raonic who got the ball rolling with victory over Italian wild card Marco Cecchinato.
The Canadian, up to number 10 in the world rankings, needed three sets to see off his opponent, eventually coming through 6-4 4-6 6-4.
And his next opponent will be Australia's Kyrgios, who had a more straightforward outing, beating another Italian wild card Salvatore Caruso for the loss of just three games.
Another tantalising encounter in the second round will be Roger Federer against Alexander Zverev, the German teenager was in scintillating form to see off the considerable threat of Grigor Dimitrov 6-1 6-4.
The major shock of Monday's action was Brazil's Tomaz Bellucci who beat 14th seed Gael Monfils 6-3 7-6, while Andy Murray's next opponent will be Mikhail Kukushkin who beat Borna Coric in straight sets.
Elsewhere Dominic Thiem needed three sets to beat Alexandr Dolgopolov, the Austrian is seeded 13th and has a couple of clay court titles under his belt already this season.
Richard Gasquet was another Monday winner, the 11th seed beating France's Julien Benneteau 6-3 6-0. Gasquet will play Andreas Seppi next after the home favourite beat Canada's Vasek Pospisil 7-6 7-6.
Jack Sock was a surprise winner, beating clay-court specialist Guido Pella in three sets after losing the opener.
The 23-year-old American has been in good form in recent weeks, reaching the last 16 in Madrid after a run to the final in Houston, and he ran out a 5-7 7-5 6-3 winner.
Fabio Fognini will have hoped to delight the crowds but he was beaten in straight sets by Guillermo Garcia-Lopez, while there were also victories for Joao Sousa and Ernests Gulbis.
