In a thrilling second-round clash, the Croatian saved one match point in the second-set tie-break, before he edged a tight decider to reach the third round in Rome for the first time after three hours and 34 minutes.

The 26-year-old claimed his first tour-level win in Umag in 2014, defeating Edouard Roger-Vasselin 6-2, 6-4. He then captured his maiden tour-level title in Marrakech in 2017 before he won his first ATP Masters 1000 crown last season in Cincinnati.

The 15th seed will next play Roberto Carballes Baena in Rome after the Spaniard defeated 20th seed Daniel Evans 7-6(5), 5-7, 6-4. Coric arrives in the Italian capital in form, after advancing to the semi-finals in Madrid earlier this month.