Milan Indoor

Frenchman Julien Varlet produced a shock at the ATP tour event in Milan, beating fourth seed Xavier Malisse of Belgium.

The 25-year-old qualifier came from a set down to take a tight final set on a tie-break, winning 2-6 7-5 7-6 (8/6).

Varlet secures a place in the last eight of the 380,000 euro tournament alongside former world number one Yevgeny Kafelnikov.

The fifth-seeded Russian comfortably beat Denmark's Kristian Pless 6-4 6-3 and is now the highest remaining seed in the tournament.

Kafelnikov underwent surgery on his calf after playing a part in Russia's Davis Cup triumph over France last December and said he was now feeling strong again.

"The operation went very well," said the 28-year-old.

I will be a big underdog against Yevgeny Jonas Bjorkman

"Now I'm trying to put myself in top shape. I have no goals for the season at the moment - I play because I like to play."

Kafelnikov will now meet Jonas Bjorkman in the quarter-finals, who needed just 50 minutes to overcome Italian Andrea Gaudenzi 6-2 6-1.

Gaudenzi had knocked out Australian Open quarter-finalist Younes El Aynaoui in the first round but was outclassed by the veteran Swede.

"I've prepared well in the last couple of months and am happy with my performances," said Bjorkman.

"But I will be a big underdog against Yevgeny as I think I have not beaten him in nine matches.

"I will go out there and enjoy myself and hopefully my luck will change."

Croat Ivan Ljubicic downed Slovak Dominik Hrbaty 6-7 7-6 6-4 in a tough, close match to set up a quarter-final meeting with Varlet.

Meanwhile, former Wimbledon champion Richard Krajicek decided to pull out of the doubles to concentrate on his singles quarter-final against Finland's Jarkko Niemenen on Friday.

The 31-year-old wild card entry said he did not want to overburden his elbow after only recently returning from a 20-month absence due to injury.