ROME - Chinese Zhang Zhizhen advanced to the fourth round of the ATP Rome Open after a convincing win over American Ben Shelton, 6-2, 6-4, on Sunday.

Zhang, who spent only 70 minutes on the match, effectively managed to save both break points against him and committed just one double fault, significantly fewer than Shelton's six.

Ranked 56th globally, Zhang is set to face Brazilian qualifier Thiago Monteiro next. Monteiro progressed after a closely contested match against Serbia's 31st seed, Miomir Kecmanovic, winning 6-2, 4-6, 7-6 (6).

This season in Rome marks an improvement for the 27-year-old Zhang, who had faced first-round exits in his previous two clay tournaments in Barcelona and Madrid.