ROME — Dino Prizmic followed up on knocking Novak Djokovic from the Italian Open by beating France’s Ugo Humbert 6-1, 7-5 on Sunday to reach the last 16 in Rome.
Croatian Prizmic had to qualify for the main draw but looks like he could be a contender after another brilliant display of power and precision on clay, AFP reported.
The 20-year-old raced into a 5-0 lead in the first set, which he closed out in just 28 minutes against a shellshocked Humbert, who was seeded 31st.
Such was Prizmic’s dominance in the first set that he could even afford to try a trick shot between his legs and give up a point in game six.
Humbert battled back in the second set but after he gave up his serve for the third time in game 11 Prizmic closed out the match on his second match point.
After his superb performance on the Pietrangeli court Prizmic will face one of Karen Khachanov or Botic van de Zandschulp in the next round.
Alexander Zverev kept up his bid for a third title at the Foro Italico with a straight-sets win over Alexander Blockx, 6-1, 6-4 on centre court.
Second seed Zverev, who was heavily beaten by Jannik Sinner in the Madrid final last weekend, will face one of Tommy Paul or Italy’s Luciano Darderi in the fourth round.
Another home hope in Lorenzo Musetti is in action on centre court later when the eighth seed takes on Argentina’s Francisco Cerundolo.
