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Unpredictable Marat Safin reached the quarter-finals of the Countrywide Classic for the first time in his career on Wednesday as he finally overcame stubborn Swiss qualifier George Bastl 6-2, 2-6, 6-4.

 The former number one, who first played the event in 2001, continued his campaign to reconstruct his game after knee injury problems two seasons ago.

 He got away quickly to sweep the first set, but bogged down in the second as the 32-year-old Bastl rose to the occasion.

 The 255th-ranked European journeyman who beat Pete Sampras in the American's last match at Wimbledon in the 2002 second round, forced the issue with the streaky Safin, forcing the Russian to save three break points in the eighth game of the third set.

 The Swiss made a match of it 4-5 before Safin finally escaped after two hours.  

   Things are coming along, it's been such a long time," said a relieved Safin. "It was surprising how well he played in the second set.

 "I thought for a while I was going to lose that match. I had some lucky shots in the third set, it was my lucky day."

   The Russian, who earned his last title was the 2005 Australian Open, next faces Lee Hyung-taik, the Korean seventh seed who advanced into the last eight when South African Wesley Moodie retired with a back injury trailing 6-2, 3-0.

 Nicolas Kiefer set up an all-German quarter-final after upending Russian spoiler Igor Kunitsyn 6-3, 6-2.

 A day after his opponent had dispatched fourth seed David Nalbandian, the 409-ranked Kiefer took another step in his comeback after missing a year with a wrist injury.

 The 30-year-old will square off on Friday against compatriot Michael Berrer, who put out Brazilian Ricardo Mello 6-3, 7-5.

 Kiefer's LA success marked a steady improvement since he returned to the courts a month ago on grass at Halle.

 That first-round defeat was followed by a Wimbledon third round for "Kiwi."

   He was beaten last week in his opening match in Newport before switching to hardcourts for the US Open run-up starting in California.

 "I had to play my best tennis to win today," said the German, who last played on hardcourt 16 months ago. "I came early to the States to practise and get ready.

 "I had thought in February that I would be able to play but it was not possible. But now that I'm back I'm holding my head up and getting on with the job."

   Kiefer, a one-time world number four, lost the 2004 final at UCLA to compatriot Tommy Haas, the defending champion who is missing this edition with injury.

 Kiefer underwent procedures on his right wrist in July and October last year.

  "I was hitting the ball much better today but I need to keep on going. I'm still far away. I need to work on everything. I'm playing through the end of the US Open and I want to get some good practice and try to play as many good matches as I can.

 Kunitsyn just broke into the Top 100 last year and failed to reach his second quarter-final of 2007 after Adelaide in January. dpa