Rome Masters: British No. 1 Cameron Norrie and home favourite Jannik Sinner storm into last 16 with confident wins

British No. 1 Cameron Norrie is safely through to the last 16 of the Rome Masters after the 13th seed beat qualifier Alexandre Muller in straight sets, while home favourite Jannik Sinner also progressed. Norrie has struggled on clay so far this season, winning just two matches in Monte Carlo, Barcelona and Madrid combined.

Ad But there was little fuss to a 6-2 6-3 victory over Muller on Friday, which Norrie completed in one hour and 14 minutes. ATP RomeExclusive: Rune insists he is not a tennis 'bad boy'YESTERDAY AT 07:12 The 27-year-old hit four aces and 20 winners, breaking his French opponent three times and saving the only break point he faced in a dominant performance. Norrie, who was given a bye through the first round, will face Alex de Minaur or Marton Fucsovics next.

The winner of that tie could potentially face a blockbuster quarter-final clash with top seed Novak Djokovic, who begins his Rome campaign against Tomas Martin Etcheverry later on Friday. Djokovic: Alcaraz 'the player to beat' on clay Kenin produces major upset in Rome as 'exhausted' Sabalenka eliminated Exclusive: Becker says young players have a lot to learn from Murray — 'An absolute role model' Sinner’s bid for glory on home soil got off to a solid start with a 6-1 6-4 win over qualifier Thanasi Kokkinakis. The Italian is the eighth seed in Rome but will be eyeing the title after a strong recent run at ATP 1000 events, reaching the final in Miami and the last four in Indian Wells and Monte Carlo – although he missed the recent Madrid Open due to illness.