Defending champion Andre Agassi had a comfortable straight sets win over fellow American Robby Ginepri to reach the quarter-finals of the Mercedes Benz Cup.

Agassi triumphed 6-3 6-1 in just 54 minutes in Los Angeles to set up a last eight meeting with Brazil's Gustavo Kuerten in a repeat of last year's semi-final.

"I felt like I was on top of my game," said Agassi. "I put pressure on him early and I managed to stay in front."

Kuerten beat Britain's Martin Lee 7-5 7-6 (7/5) as he continues his comeback from hip surgery.

Kuerten has only played five tournaments on the ATP circuit since undergoing the operation in February.

Special match

"I don't know if I can play the same way I did last year when I played one of my best matches, even if I lost to him," Kuerten said about Agassi.

"For me, it's special when I play a match like this."

In Thursday's other action, Nicolas Kiefer beat American Alex Bogomolov 6-3, 6-3.

Bogomolov had disposed of top seed Tommy Haas on Tuesday but Kiefer made sure that he didn't go the same way as his fellow countryman.

Kiefer will next face American Jan-Michael Gambill, who beat Israel's Noam Okun 7-6 (7/2), 6-2 to advance.

Kiefer broke Bogomolov's serve twice in the first set and showed no effects of the wrist injuries he has suffered over the past two seasons that have slowed his progress.

Results:

Second Round: