Greg Rusedski was dealt a lucky hand in Milan this afternoon as Switzerland's Marc Rosset was forced to withdraw injured from their second round match.
The seventh seed injured his back while leading 2-1 in the opening set, and despite struggling on until the end of the set, which he lost 6-3, he conceded after Rusedski held serve in the opening game of the second.
The defeat was a sorry end for Rosset, the defending champion at the event which was staged at London Arena last year.
Rusedski beat Italian veteran Gianluca Pozzi in round one, and could now face Russian world number two Marat Safin in the quarter-finals.
Should Safin beat Belgian qualifier Xavier Malisse this afternoon, it will present another opportunity for Rusedski to test himself against the best.
He beat Gustavo Kuerten, the world number one, on his way to the Australian Open fourth round, where he lost to eventual finalist Arnaud Clement.
PA