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By Pauline Vu

Daily Bruin Senior Staff

The elder American was called a king by one member of the audience. The younger American was told there were children in the stands by another member of the audience.

In the quarterfinals of the Mercedes-Benz Cup, third-seed Andre Agassi, the epitome of a calm Friday afternoon, won a 6-2, 7-5 match over fifth-seed Jan-Michael Gambill, who repeatedly yelled at himself (including a few expletives), threw his racket once, and looked like he wanted to a few other times.

Though Gambill, last year's runner-up, took the first point in the match, Agassi broke him twice en route to a 6-2 set victory. In the second set Gambill stepped up his game, though with an effort. He took the firstpoint after two long rallies, both of which ended with backhands to the far left corner.

The two men matched each other game-for-game until they tied at 5-5, but then Agassi broke Gambill for a 6-5 lead. In the final game Agassi dropped the first point, but won the next four to take the set.

The last call of the match was controversial. Up 40-15, Agassi sent a11 6 serve down the middle that Gambill failed to return. Gambill went back to the baseline and waited for the call that it was out of bounds. Agassi looked to two different linesmen, who signaled that the servewas good. So the match ended with Gambill arguing with the chair umpire about the call.

"It's always unfortunate when there's any controversy at all with the way a match ends," Agassi said. "It's the last point, and you want it to go according to plan. But when you feel like a match should still be alive, it's a difficult way to end."

The two were close in aces (Agassi had six and Gambill eight), but Gambill showed less control with five double-faults while Agassi had none. After one of the double-faults, Gambill slammed a ball into the stands and received a warning from the referee.

Agassi will next take on top seed Gustavo Kuerten, who has been on a hot streak lately playing on clay surfaces. A recent ATP release headlined him as the "King of Clay." With Friday morning's win over No. 8 seed Tommy Haas, Kuerten extended his winning streak to 15 matches, tying his personal record.

Asked about his upcoming match with Kuerten, Agassi replied, "I'd rather be playing him here than on clay, I'm sure."