Top-ranked Roger Federer beat Fernando Gonzalez 7-5, 6-1 yesterday to reach the quarter-finals of the Hamburg Masters, while Juergen Melzer upset former US Open champion Marat Safin 6-4, 6-4.

　　Federer, winner of two of the last three Grand Slam tournament, had trouble finishing off the first set. He wasted four set points at 5-2 and the 13th-seeded Spaniard charged back to tie it at 5-5.

　　Federer wasted three more set points at 6-5 on Gonzalez' serve before getting a lucky break. A netcord dropped limply beyond the reach of the frustrated Gonzalez and the Swiss No. 1 had the set.

　　Gonzalez offered little resistance in the second and Federer improved his career-best start in a year to 29-3. He's seeking his fourth 2004 title, after winning the Australian Open and tournaments in Dubai and Indian Wells.

　　Melzer had never before made the last eight at a tournament of this level.

　　"This is the best tournament of my career," the Austrian said after his victory over a lethargic Safin.

　　The 2.4-million euro (US$2.9 million) claycourt event is the fifth of nine Masters Series tournaments, one tier below the Grand Slams.

　　It is also a major tuneup for the French Open, the second Grand Slam of the year that starts on May 24.

　　Melzer bewildered an off-peak Safin with an array of crafty claycourt shots and used his second match point to stun the Russian.

　　Earlier, Melzer blew another match point at 5-3. But with Safin serving at deuce, the Austrian left-hander used a deft backhand drop shot to draw Safin to the net, then passed him with a superb backhand to win the match in one hour and 43 minutes.

　　In his first two matches in Hamburg, Melzer had lost only four games.

　　A frustrated Safin at one point broke the chair of a linesman with his racket.

　　Safin reached the final of the Australian Open at the start of the year and came into the match ranked No. 5 in the ATP race for the seasonal top ranking. He had 31 unforced errors for 18 for Melzer, who hit 28 winners. Safin had only 11.

　　"The second set was a real battle," said Melzer, who was down a break of serve before pulling level at 2-2.

　　Safin complained about the early hour of the match and the quality of the balls.

　　"I didn't really feel like playing tennis today. I had no motivation. I didn't want to be on court. I'm not a morning person," he said.

　　"The balls are of bad quality, they are a nightmare, you don't have confidence in your shots," the Russian continued.

　　Safin, a former No. 1 in the world and two-time Hamburg finalist, said he would not go to the French Open if he remained so unmotivated.

　　"At the level I'm playing now, I'd have no chance. Hopefully, I'll be in better shape," Safin said.

　　In other third-round matches, David Ferrer of Spain rallied to beat compatriot Albert Costa 5-7, 6-4, 6-3, Croatia's Ivan Ljubicic beat Andrei Pavel of Romania 4-6, 6-4, 6-3 and Mikhail Youzhny of Russia defeated home favorite Florian Mayer of Germany 6-0, 7-6 (4).

　　In other matches yesterday, former world No. 1 Lleyton Hewitt, the 17th seed, was taking on Flavio Saretta; seventh seed Carlos Moya was going head-to-head with Fernando Verdasco; and defending champion and second seed Guillermo Coria was battling Tommy Robredo.

　　(The Associated Press)