Cilic eases into Rio Open round of 16

RIO DE JANEIRO, Feb. 19 (Xinhua) -- Top seed Marin Cilic of Croatia advanced to the Rio Open round of 16 by beating Argentinian Carlos Berlocq 6-3, 6-2 on Monday.

The world No. 3 saved three break points in his first service game before easing into the rhythm that saw him reach the Australian Open final last month.

He took the match in one hour and 20 minutes to set up a clash with either Gael Monfils of France or Argentinian Horacio Zeballos.

Spaniard Fernando Verdasco was another who needed three sets to advance, beating Argentina's Leonardo Mayer 6-2, 3-6, 6-3 at the Jockey Club Brasileiro.