Roger Federer survived a ferocious onslaught from powerful Chilean Fernando Gonzalez at the Monte Carlo Masters in Monte Carlo, on Thursday, winning 6-2, 6-7, 6-4 to reach the quarter-finals.
The Swiss world number one, aiming for a record third consecutive Masters Series title, came through after two hours 21 minutes and will now face French teenager Richard Gasquet.
Second seed Marat Safin bowed out, however, losing 6-2, 6-4 in a late match to twice former winner Juan Carlos Ferrero.
Last year's winner Guillermo Coria and French Open champion Gaston Gaudio also scored impressive victories, as did fast-rising Spanish teenager Rafael Nadal.
Federer, winner of eight of his last nine tournaments, had not dropped a set in two previous meetings with Gonzalez and looked on course for another routine victory when he led 5-3 in the second set having strolled through the first.
However, Gonzalez broke back. Striking the ball with awesome power, the 24-year-old dominated the second set tiebreak, winning it 7-3 with uncharacteristic errors spraying from Federer's racket.
Gonzalez maintained the pressure in the decider, the first six games going with serve, but Federer pounced on his second break point in the seventh game to lead 4-3 and settle the match.
"It was a bit worrying when I didn't close it out," said Federer. "He's a dangerous player, he hits it very hard but is a bit up and down and it's hard to get a rhythm."
Ferrero will play Italian Filippo Volandri, who ended Argentine Mariano Puerta's hot streak on clay with a 6-7, 7-6, 6-4 victory.
Puerta, winner in Casablanca last week, ran out of steam after failing to serve out the match at 5-4 in the second set.
FIZZLED OUT
The eagerly awaited match between former world number ones Safin and Ferrero fizzled out in the evening gloom, with the resurgent Ferrero moving through comfortably to reach his first quarter-final of the year.
"I had chances but I made too stupid mistakes," said Monte Carlo resident Safin, who is still to reach the final of his local tournament.
Earlier Gasquet delighted the large Country Club crowd when he came from behind to beat 10th-seeded Russian Nikolay Davydenko 4-6, 7-5, 6-2.
Davydenko served for the match at 5-4 in the second set but the exciting 18-year-old qualifier hit back with some dazzling tennis to reach his first Masters Series quarter-final.
"There are some tactics you can use against [Federer]," said Gasquet, looking forward to Friday's match. "But he doesn't have any real weaknesses. I've got enormous respect for him, he's a role model for me and a very nice guy."
Coria moved through the gears against Spain's Alberto Martin, winning a first-set tiebreak without dropping a point on his way to a 7-6, 6-1 victory.
The sixth seed will face Spanish opposition again in the quarter-final after fellow Argentine Mariano Zabaleta was forced to retire against David Ferrer with an ankle injury.
Fourth seed Gaudio has progressed without attracting attention, a situation he said suits him fine after thrashing Romanian qualifier Victor Hanescu 6-2, 6-0.
"If people talk about the others as favourites, for me that's perfect," he said.
Things will get more difficult on Friday, however, against the 18-year-old Nadal, the season's most prolific winner on clay. Belgian Olivier Rochus had no answers as Nadal swept him aside 6-1, 6-2.
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