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 runners-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.
--IANS
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