Seven-time champion Rafael Nadal has methodically worn down Denis Shapovalov in a 6-4 6-1 win to reach the Italian Open quarter-finals and gain a measure of revenge against the Canadian.
The Israel-born teenager saved eight break points in his opening two service games before finally dropping his serve midway through the first set on Thursday.
Shapovalov, who is ranked a career-high No.29 this week, stunned Nadal in the third round in Montreal last year to deny the Spaniard a chance at regaining the No.1 ranking.
Nadal is also attempting to regain the top spot this week. He will replace Roger Federer at No.1 if he wins an eighth Rome title.
Nadal, who hasn’t won the Italian Open since 2013, will next face Fabio Fognini, who beat Peter Gojowczyk 6-4 6-4 to reach his first quarterfinal in 11 appearances at his home tournament.
The temperamental Fognini slammed his racket midway through the second set and received a warning from the chair umpire but otherwise held his composure to follow up an impressive win over Dominic Thiem a day earlier.
Fourth seed Marin Cilic accounted for Frenchman Benoit Paire 6-3 6-4.
Earlier, ninth seed David Goffin was leading 6-2 4-5 when Juan Martin del Potro retired because of a groin injury and 10th-seeded Pablo Carreno Busta beat Aljaz Bedene 6-4 6-7 (7-3) 6-2.