Paris, June 03: Gustavo Kuerten was once an obscure young player with an unorthodox flair who developed a knack for knocking off grand slam champions - much like the Spaniard who just ended his bid for a fourth French Open title. Kuerten smiled when asked about the comparison, then rejected it. He said Tommy Robredo is not a replica of the 19-year-old Kuerten who won at Roland Garros in 1997.

"No, I think the hair is a lot different," the Brazilian said with a laugh. "And my clothes were blue and yellow."

But like Guga six years ago, the 21-year-old Robredo is making his mark on the Paris clay. He upset top-ranked Lleyton Hewitt of Australia in the third round, then eliminated Kuerten 6-4 1-6 7-6 (7/2) 6-4 yesterday.

Next up for Robredo in the quarterfinals tomorrow: Compatriot Albert costa, the 2002 French Open champion.

"I've beaten the ace, I've beaten the king," Robredo said. "Now I need to beat the jack, don't I? If I beat Costa, I'll have beaten the entire deck of cards."

Kuerten was an improbable champion in 1997. He entered the tournament ranked 66th and beat grand slam winners Thomas Muster, Yevgeny Kafelnikov and Sergi Bruguera en route to the title.

Robredo came in with a higher ranking (31st) and was even seeded 28th. But among the four Spanish men reaching the final eight - a record at a major event in the open era - he's the least likely quarterfinalist.

The others are Costa, 2002 French Open runner-up Juan Carlos Ferrero and 1998 champion Carlos Moya.

"I've just played two wonderful matches," Robredo said. "But each one is going to be increasingly difficult."

Bureau Report