Former US Open champion Juan Martin del Potro dropped just five games on his way to knocking Alex Kuznetsov out of the Rome International with a 6-3 6-2 victory this evening.

The Argentine broke early on during the first set and having held all of his own service games, he wrapped it up in 40 minutes.

Two breaks of serve followed in the second set as Del Potro booked his place in round three of the competition in the Italian capital.

He will take on either Benoit Paire or Julien Benneteau for a slot in the quarter-finals.