Zverev ends Fognini's Rome Masters bid

Rome - German prodigy Alexander Zverev ended the hopes of local favourite Fabio Fognini at the Rome Masters on Thursday with a 6-3, 6-3 third-round victory.

Fognini, who has never made it past the third round of his home tournament, had a brilliant start when he sent number one and defending champion Andy Murray crashing to an early exit.

But he had few answers to Hamburg-born Zverev, 20, son of former Russian player Alexander Zverev snr and the youngest player ranked in the ATP's Top 50.

The 16th seed will meet the winner of the clash between Tomas Berdych and Milos Raonic.

Results on the fifth day of the Rome Masters on Thursday (x denotes seeding):

Men

Third round

Alexander Zverev (GER x16) bt Fabio Fognini (ITA) 6-3, 6-3