Kafelnikov beats Moya to hint at return to top form

Having changed his mind about retiring after Russia's Davis Cup victory last December, Yevgeny Kafelnikov is as good as new, springing about the clay courts hitting shots reminiscent of his French Open triumph in 1996.

Yesterday, the 29-year-old could barely contain his excitement after out-playing the third seed, Carlos Moya, 6-4, 7-6, to reach the quarter-finals of the Italian Open for the first time after 10 attempts. Kafelnikov's display made observers wonder if – only if – the great ground-stroker from the Black Sea resort of Sochi still has it in him to cause a major upset in Paris next month.

Ranked No 24 in the world, and fit and fast again after surgery to a varicose vein in his left leg at the end of last season, Kafelnikov resisted Moya's attempts to work himself back into the match during a tense second set. The Spaniard fought back from 2-4 to force the tie-break, hitting a splendid backhand pass down the line to break to 15 as Kafelnikov served for the match at 5-3 and then dropped only one point in holding for 5-5.

As the tie-break began there was a feeling that Kafelnikov would have to secure it, otherwise Moya would be the favourite to win in three sets. The Russian won the shoot-out, 7-4, on his first match point, and said that physically he would have been ready for a third set. "When you are playing like that," he added, "you almost don't want to finish because you are enjoying yourself."

This afternoon promises more enjoyment when Kafelnikov's potent return is put to the test against the big-serving Dutch qualifier, Martin Verkerk, who continued an impressive week by defeating Finland's Jarkko Nieminen, 6-0, 6-3. Verkerk, 24, beat Kafelnikov in three sets on a fast indoor court in the Milan final in February, winning his first ATP title.

The Italians have a player to cheer in the quarter-finals here for the first time in seven years. Filippo Volandri, who also reached the last eight as a qualifier in Monte Carlo last month, has made the most of a wild card this week. Yesterday he defeated the Czech Radek Stepanek, 6-3, 6-4, to advance to a meeting with the majestic Roger Federer.

"Talent is hard to describe," Federer mused. "A lot of people love my game because I'm so relaxed on the court and I play with touch. I play spin, slice, I come to the net. I play all over. But it can also be a disadvantage."

In short, the Swiss world No 5 has too many options for his own good, although there are distinct signs he has become more discerning when dipping into his repertoire.

Federer, 21, has won three ATP titles this year and has not dropped a set in his last three events: a Davis Cup tie against France, last week's Munich tournament, and three matches here at the Foro Italico.

In dispatching the 21-year-old Spaniard Tommy Robredo, 6-1, 6-1, in the third round yesterday, Federer's shot-selection and execution was almost flawless, though he admitted he would love to perfect "the forehand drop-shot all these Spaniards have".

Rainer Schüttler, of Germany, runner-up to Andre Agassi at the Australian Open, eliminated Jiri Novak, the Czech eighth seed, 6-4, 7-6, and Ivan Ljubicic, of Croatia, defeated Guillermo Coria, the Argentinian 15th seed, 6-4, 6-3.

Britain's Tim Henman, who was beaten by Coria in the first round of the singles, lost in the second round of the doubles yesterday. Henman and his Brazilian partner, Gustavo Kuerten, were defeated by Joshua Eagle, of Australia, and Jared Palmer, of the United States, 7-5, 7-6.

* Goran Ivanisevic, who has hinted that he will soon retire, may make one of the final appearances of his professional career at the Samsung Open in Nottingham on 16-21 June.