ROME: Swiss world number two Roger Federer survived a late fightback by Kevin Anderson on Thursday (Friday in Manila) to book his place in the quarterfinals and a possible last four match-up with Rafael Nadal at the Italian Open.

Elsewhere, Britain’s Andy Murray (fatigue) and defending women’s champion Serena Williams (elbow) withdrew, while men’s defending champion Novak Djokovic was put through his paces before ousting big-hitting Brazilian qualifier Thomaz Bellucci 5-7, 6-2, 6-3 to set up a quarterfinals meeting with Japanese fifth see Kei Nishikori.

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