Home favourite Andrea Arnaboldi failed to convert a first-set lead as he was beaten 5-7 6-2 6-1 by world number 20 David Goffin in the first round of the Italian Open this afternoon.
Arnaboldi, ranked almost 200 places below his opponent, was behind in the early stages as Belgium's Goffin made the first break to go 3-1 in front.
Goffin missed four double-break chances in the seventh game and Arnaboldi made him pay by breaking back in the next game to level the opener at 4-4.
The Italian went a set in front by impressively breaking to love when 6-5 ahead to snatch the set.
Arnaboldi saved six break points on his way to a steely hold at the start of the second set, and he went on to lead 2-1 before losing 11 of the next 12 games to crumble 2-6 1-6 in the second and third sets.
Goffin will be up against either Jo-Wilfried Tsonga or Sam Querrey in the last 32.
Pascal Lemesre
