Kiefer in quarterfinals

HONG KONG, OCT. 4. German third seed Nicolas Kiefer broke Australian Jason Stoltenberg twice in the closing stages to book a quarterfinal place in the $ 375,000 Salem Open tonight as seeds continued their perfect showing this week.

Kiefer advanced 6-3, 6-2 in just 70 minutes over the Australian veteran, playing his first match in a month since the U.S. Open.

So far, all eight seeds made it into the second round and the two who have played so far also took wins.

Joining Kiefer as a day 3 winner on the outdoor hardcourts of Victoria Park was No. 5 Nicolas Lapentti, who eliminated American qualifier Kevin Kim 6-1, 3-6, 6-2.

Lapentti, who finished in the ranking top ten a year ago, has slumped this season, his highlight coming as he and his younger brother Giovanni led ecuador to a post-Wimbledon Davis Cup upset of Britain which sent the host packing into the lower zonal reaches of the worldwide competition.

``I've been away from the game for a month,'' said Lapentti. ``I didn't know what to expect as I've never played him.''

The South American said that his confidence ebbed and flowed in the afternoon heat and humidity.

``I was confident at the start but it was a totally different story in the second set. He raised his game and I had to fight it out.''

lThe results: Nicolas Kiefer bt Jason Stoltenberg 6-3, 6-2; Nicolas Lapentti bt Kevin Kim 6-1, 3-6, 6-2.

Tuesday's results: Sergi Bruguera bt Jeff Tarango 7-6 (7-5), 7-6 (7- 5); Jonas Bjorkman bt Melvin Tong 6-0, 6-2.

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Section  : Sport
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