Rome - Sweden's ace Zlatan Ibrahimovic resumed his scoring habits Saturday, opening the scoring in a 2-0 beating of Genoa that Mario Balotelli sealed in the second half.

The Serie A leaders beefed up their lead on Juventus and beat Genoa on home turf for the first time this season. The game was also Genoa's first without a goal scored before their home crowd.

As both sides took off at a hammering pace, the Swede was deadly in the second minute, displaying all his class to control a long feed by Dejan Stankovic and aim a perfect lob past Rubens Rubinho.

Ibra interrupted a month-long dry spell and drew level on 15 goals with Fiorentina's Alberto Gilardino and Argentine Diego Milito, all trailing Bologna's Marco Di Vaio one goal adrift.

Milito early on had provided a great assist for Thiago Motta, who was stopped inside the box and had an even better chance on 21 minutes, when his compatriot Julio Cesar bravely slapped his nasty header.

The Brazilian goalkeeper saved two consecutive close-range efforts just before the break and was graced on 52 minutes when defender Giuseppe Biava did him a favour aiming a feeble, central shot from close range.

Inter ran no further risks and secured their win on 61 minutes through the young Balotelli, whose low drive from a tight angle rolled past Rubinho as Marco Rossi fumbled a goal-line clearance.

The Italian-born with Ghanaian origins confirmed his great form after the brace that last weekend helped Inter salvage a 3-3 home draw with Roma.

Two more chances went begging for Genoa as Rossi seven minutes later fired high off a Motta assist and Biava missed another mouth-watering opportunity on 77 minutes.

Earlier Saturday, Roma had captain Daniele De Rossi sent off as they were held to a 1-1 home draw by visiting Udinese to dent their pursuit of a Champions League berth.

Second-place Juventus look to reduce their 10-point gap from Inter, now on 63 points from 27 games, as they tackle lowly city rivals Torino later Saturday. (dpa)