Lajovic beats Nishioka at Rome Masters to set up clash with Alcaraz

ROME - Serbian tennis player Dusan Lajovic defeated Japanese Yoshihito Nishioka 7-5, 6-1 on Wednesday to advance to the second round of the Rome Masters tournament, where he will face Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz.

Lajovic won after an hour and 20 minutes of play.

The 34-year-old Serbian, who had to fight through two qualifying rounds to reach the main draw at the Rome Masters, will take on third seed Alcaraz on Thursday or Friday.

Serbia's Miomir Kecmanovic suffered an early exit from the tournament after a 4-6, 6-3, 6-0 defeat to Dutchman Tallon Griekspoor in the opening round.

The prize money at the Rome Masters is 8,055,385 euros.