Italian wildcard Fillipo Volandri proved an equally difficult opponent for Ernests Gulbis (pictured above) as Roger Federer.

ROME — Ernests Gulbis has sluggishly made his way into the quarterfinals of the Internazionali BNL d’Italia.

It marks the second time in as many weeks that the Latvian will make a quarterfinal appearance.

After the giddy heights of knocking out world no.1 R0ger Federer on Tuesday, Thursday’s opponent, Italian wild card Fillipo Volandri proved to be just as much of a formidable opponent for “The Gull.”

Volandri has found Rome a happy hunting ground, having previously made the semifinals here.

Gulbis took three sets and over two hours to see of the plucky Italian, finally prevailing 6-2, 3-6, 7-6 (4). Volandri showed it was no fluke he had made it through to the round of sixteen, staving off 14 of 17 break points.

In the mean time Gulbis was pushed to break point four times and could only save twice. What would again been of slight concern for the Latvian is his current inability to shut out matches.

Going in his favor, he was able to save match point on the one occasion he was threatened by it.

Speaking to atpworldtour.com after the match, Gulbis conceded that backing after beating someone like Federer is always tough so he is just happy to have been able to hold on and move onto the quarters.

In the quarters he will meet world no. 35 Spaniard Feliciano López who made it through when his round of 16 opponent Ivan Ljubičić pulled out of the match with injury.

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