Rafael Nadal battles back to see off Paolo Lorenzi

Top seed Rafael Nadal overcame a major scare before securing his place in the third round of the Rome Masters with a 6-7 (5-7), 6-4, 6-0 win over Italian qualifier Paolo Lorenzi.

The Spanish world No?1 struggled to find his rhythm during the opening set and Lorenzi took advantage as he converted his only break-point chance to force a tie-break, which he shaded 7-5. Nadal began to find his form as the second set unfolded but Lorenzi clung on bravely before losing out 6-4. That effort seemed to take its toll on the Italian in the decider and Nadal was able to ease through it 6-0.

Novak Djokovic racked up a 33rd straight victory as he hammered Lukasz Kubot 6-0, 6-3. and Stanislas Wawrinka saw off Filippo Volandri 6-1, 3-6, 6-2, while former French Open quarter-finalist Juan Ignacio Chela was a 6-4, 6-2 victor over Gilles Simon.

In the women's draw fourth seed Li Na booked her place in round three with a 6-4, 6-2 win against Lourdes Dominguez Lino while sixth seed Sam Stosur had a 6-1, 7-5 success over Iveta Benesova. Jelena Jankovic, the fifth seed, crushed Lucie Safarova 6-0, 6-3 but former Wimbledon finalist Marion Bartoli is out after losing 6-4, 6-3 to Anabel Medina Garrigues.