Roger Federer was in fine form as he saw off old foe Guillermo Canas in straight sets at the Rome Masters on Tuesday. The world number one came through 6-3 6-3 to reach the last 16. It was a significant win for Federer, who suffered back-to-back defeats against Canas early last year and had a 2-3 record against the Argentine. Earlier, Andy Roddick got his clay-court season off to a solid start with a 6-1 6-4 win over fellow American and good friend Mardy Fish. Juan Carlos Ferrero saw off Nicolas Kiefer 6-7 (5-7) 6-3 6-4 in the first round to set up a clash with defending champion Rafael Nadal.

Federer has been in good form on the clay so far this year, taking the title in Estoril and finishing runner-up to Rafael Nadal in Monte Carlo.

And despite facing his bogey man in Canas, Federer looked assured throughout his second-round encounter in Rome.

The top seed broke serve in the middle of the first set and sealed it with two aces and a delightful drop shot in game nine.

Canas came closest to breaking in the sixth game of the second set, when Federer was lucky to save a break point with a net-cord winner.

But the Swiss star, beaten finalist in Rome in 2003 and 2006, went on to break Canas's serve twice in the last three games.