Kuerten advances in Brazil

COSTA DO SAUIPE, Brazil, Feb. 25 (UPI) -- Third-seeded Gustavo Kuerten fought off teen-ager Richard Gasquet, 7-6 (7-2), 6-3, to move into the quarterfinals Wednesday at the Brazil Open.

The highest remaining seed in the tournament, Kuerten does not have to play a seeded player to reach the final. He won this event two years ago.

Kuerten's next opponent will be qualifier Franco Squillari, who sent seventh-seeded Gaston Gaudio packing, 7-6 (7-3), 6-3.

Two other seeds remain alive -- both on the other side of the bracket -- as Agustin Calleri and Juan Ignacio Chela moved into the quarterfinals.

Calleri, the fourth seed, got past Fernando Verdasco, 6-4, 6-4. Chela, the eighth seed, eliminated David Ferrer, 6-2, 6-4.