Defending champion Rafael Nadal endured a three-set thriller before overcoming big-hitting Latvian qualifier Ernests Gulbis 1-6 7-5 6-4 on Thursday to reach the Rome Masters quarter-finals.
In the women’s event, Sam Stosur continued to her fine form, the ninth-seeded Australian beating No.8 Petra Kvitova 7-5 2-6 6-1.
Gulbis, ranked 46th, and a winner in Rome in 2010 over Roger Federer on his way to the semi-finals, saved two match points in the third set, but finally went down when he sent a forehand wide to the massive relief of a dancing, celebrating Nadal.
The Spaniard now stands 6-0 against Gulbis as he bids for a seventh Rome title.
He will next face compatriot David Ferrer, who advanced in a walkover against Germany’s Philipp Kohlschreiber, who was suffering from vertigo.
“On Friday, I have a chance against a very difficult player. I survived a tough match today. Now I have another chance to try and go farther,” said Nadal.
“Being in the quarter-finals is fantastic. I’m more than pleased with what I’ve done since I returned (from his seven months off with knee problems).”
Nadal was fresh from his Madrid title at the weekend – his record 23rd Masters.
He has won five titles from seven finals since returning to tennis after a seven-month injury absence.
Top seed Novak Djokovic played without ankle pain in a routine 6-1 6-4 defeat of Alexandr Dolgopolov.
Djokovic dispatched Dolgopolov in an hour, with five aces and 13 winners in a contest which began 45 minutes late due to morning rain.
The two-time Rome champion will next play Czech Tomas Berdych, a winner over South Africa’s Kevin Anderson 7-5 6-2.
Djokovic said that he had almost forgotten about his ankle injury since winning the title in Monte Carlo over Nadal last month.
“I’ve been pain-free for a week but I’m still very cautious in my warm-up and recovery. I don’t think it will bother me any more and I don’t think about it when I’m on the court,” he said.
Second seed Federer demolished Gilles Simon 6-1 6-2 and set up a meeting with Jerzy Janowicz after the Pole knocked out Richard Gasquet, the ninth seed, 3-6 7-6 (7-2) 6-4.
Federer is looking for his first Rome trophy after playing finals in 2003 and 2006.
In the women’s event, world number one Serena Williams comfortably made the quarter-finals with a 6-0 6-1 mauling of Slovakia’s 14th seed Dominika Cibulkova.
Williams, who has now won 21 successive matches, will face Spain’s Carla Suarez Navarro for a spot in the semi-finals.
“Nothing is ever perfect – I learned that last year when I felt perfect,” said Williams, referring to her stunning first-round loss at Roland Garros in 2012.
“I am still in the danger zone.”
Williams added: “I can’t remember the other winning streaks, but I hope I can get to 22 and the rest of the matches that I have here.
“Plus seven, and Wimbledon too, so it would be dangerous to lose now.”
Second seed Maria Sharapova, winner of the last two editions, out-hit Sloane Stephens 6-2 6-1 in just over an hour.
Third-seeded Victoria Azarenka also went through when Ayumi Morita retired through injury in the second set.
Unseeded two-time champion Jelena Jankovic upset 2011 Roland Garros winner Li Na, the Chinese fifth seed, 7-6 (7-2) 7-5.
“I felt like I wasn’t playing so badly today, it was just a really long, tough match between me and JJ,” Li said.
“I was trying a lot of things out there on the court today. Sometimes it was working, sometimes it didn’t.”