Rome Masters: Roger Federer storms into second round brushing aside Alexander Zverev

World No.2 Roger Federer got the better of Alexander Zverev 6-3, 7-5 at the Internazionali BNL d'Italia tennis tournament here on Wednesday.

The third seed broke the 19-year-old Zverev for a 4-2 lead in the first set, then closed out the 29-minute opener on his third set point opportunity.

Federer broke once more for a 2-1 lead, but Zverev responded immediately in a nine-point game. Federer converted his fourth break point chance in the 11th game and went on to complete victory in 87 minutes.

Federer is a four-time runner-up in the tournament.

The Swiss superstar will now take on No. 13 seed Dominic Thiem, who was a 6-3, 6-2 winner over Joao Sousa earlier on Wednesday.