Kei Nishikori has qualified for the quarter-finals of the Italian Open following a relatively straightforward straight-sets victory over Viktor Troicki.

Both players were steadfast at the beginning of their first set but the Japanese fifth seed broke his opponent's serve twice to come out in front by a score of 6-4.

The Serbian 29-year-old then lost serve early on in the second set and, despite his opponent wavering, could not come back and duly succumbed to a 6-3 loss and ultimately defeat in the match.

Nishikori will now play the winner of the match between Novak Djokovic and Thomaz Bellucci for a spot in the semi-finals in Rome.