Melbourne & Olympic Parks, Olympic Blvd, Melbourne VIC • 3001, Australia, 18 May 2017 | AAP

Daria Gavrilova is through to the round of 16 of the Italian Open after beating French world No. 24 Caroline Garcia 7-5 3-6 6-3.

The world No.33 started strongly, breaking at the end of the first set. Garcia hit back in the second, but Gavrilova was able to take a decisive break in the decider.

Gavrilova will play Kuznetsova in the third round. It will be her sixth match at the tournament after she was forced to go through qualifying having forgotten to submit entry to the main draw.

On Monday she defeated 2016 finalist Madison Keys in the first round.