Nov. 4, 1999 SportsLine wire reports

PARIS -- World No. 1 Andre Agassi of the United States and two former top-10 countrymen earned quarterfinal berths Thursday at the Paris Open Super 9 indoor event.

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Having already clinched the year-end No. 1 ranking, the top-seeded Agassi defeated Sjeng Schalken of the Netherlands for the second consecutive week 6-4, 3-6, 6-2. Agassi had an easier time with the Dutchman last week as he posted a 6-4, 6-2 third-round win at the Eurocard Open in Stuttgart, Germany.

Americans Jim Courier and Michael Chang, both of whom are without a title this season, also secured berths in the round of eight. Courier, a former No. 1 player, pulled out a 6-7, (3-7), 7-6 (7-4), 7-5 win over Eurocard Open champion Thomas Enqvist of Sweden.

Chang, who had to qualify to enter the main draw, dumped John van Lottum of the Netherlands 6-1, 6-2, to advance to only his fifth quarterfinal in 21 ATP Tour events this season. Ranked as high as No. 2 in the world three years ago, Chang currently is 72nd.

Agassi will meet hard-serving Australian Mark Philippoussis in Friday's quarterfinals. One day after knocking off eighth seed Richard Krajicek, Philippoussis fired 14 aces in a 6-1, 3-6, 6-3 victory over 10th seed Tim Henman of Britain.

Philippoussis did not double-fault in setting up a meeting with Agassi for the second straight week. Agassi defeated the Australian 6-2, 6-4, in the second round at Stuttgart.

Courier will battle Russian teenager Marat Safin in a rematch of their epic Davis Cup battle last year. Safin dispatched Marc Rosset of Switzerland 6-4, 6-4. Last year, Courier outlasted Safin in a five-set thriller.

Chang, a two-time semifinalist here, will try to continue his dominance of France's Cedric Pioline when the two meet on Friday. Pioline, seeded 15th, held off Australian teenager Lleyton Hewitt 7-6, (7-4), 3-6, 7-6, (8-6), and will seek to improve on a 1-6 lifetime record against Chang.

No. 11 Nicolas Lapentti of Ecuador also reached the quarterfinals by defeating Albert Costa of Spain 6-2, 7-5. Lapentti will meet No. 13 Tommy Haas of Germany on Friday. Haas advanced on a walkover when Pete Sampras withdrew Wednesday with muscle spasms in his back.

Agassi clinched the year-end top spot for the first time in his career when world No. 2 Yevgeny Kafelnikov of Russia lost to Hewitt on Wednesday.

Agassi is looking to complete a Paris double after winning the French Open title in June. His victory at Roland Garros allowed him to join Rod Laver, Don Budge, Roy Emerson and Fred Perry as the only players to capture all four Grand Slams.

Since his Grand Slam triumph at Paris, Agassi has added wins at Washington and the U.S. Open, reached the final at Wimbledon and advanced to the quarterfinals or better in 11 straight events.

First prize at this $2.55 million event is $393,000.