AGASSI HOLDING OFF PAIN STRAIGHT-SET WIN SENDS HIM TO QUARTERFINALS.

Byline: Matthew Kredell Staff Writer

Andre Agassi played another pain-free match Thursday to advance to the quarterfinals of the Mercedes-Benz Cup at UCLA.

Off the court is a different story. Though he dispatched former UCLA standout Kevin Kim in straight sets 6-2, 7-5, Agassi admitted to feeling discomfort after matches from the nerve condition in his back.

``When I'm out there, I can let it fly and I'm not feeling it,'' Agassi said. ``It's when I'm cooling down that it starts.''

Agassi said it bothers him to stand in one place for too long or hold his kid after playing. But considering he had to withdraw from the French Open and Wimbledon over the past two months because of the injury, Agassi is happy just to feel comfortable on the court for a change.

And that's exactly where he is needed at the Mercedes-Benz Cup, being one of two seeded players - and the only big name - remaining in the tournament.

``I want to go deep in this tournament for my sake because it's such a treat to play for (the fans),'' Agassi said. ``It's always been a great event for me. There's been some unfortunate pullouts this week, some odd circumstances for this tournament. But the tournament will survive.''

As long as he is playing like this, it will.

Agassi broke Kim in the second game and used an effective first serve to cruise to a first-set victory. Kim, who was an All-America in one season at UCLA and is ranked No. 78 in the world, put up a good fight in the second set.

Kim battled back from love-30 in a couple of service games to keep the match on serve until the 13th game. Then Agassi hit a deep forehand service return at 30-40 to break Kim and take the match.

``I think, except for the first set, it was pretty high-quality tennis,'' said Kim, who was playing Agassi for the first time after several practice sessions. ``I held in there. Usually, it's the more confident and higher quality player who converts those big points at crucial times.''

Agassi said the next step in his recovery and quest to play in the U.S. Open is to compete on back-to-back days. He got a day off between his first- and second-round matches, but he faces No. 44 Paradorn Srichaphan of Thailand in the quarterfinals today at 2 p.m.

``How you pull up and come back the next day is always the most important thing in our sport,'' Agassi said. ``Because one match doesn't make a career. You have to do it day after day. I hope to come back and feel as good (today).''

Srichaphan had no trouble with Paul Goldstein, a feel-good story in the first round, in a 6-1, 6-4 victory. Goldstein is up to No. 70 in the world after considering retirement before the season.

Robby Ginepri continued playing perhaps the best tennis on the tour right now in an exciting 6-3, 7-6 (7-2) victory over the scrappy James Blake.

With so many seeds out at the Mercedes-Benz Cup, Ginepri has as good a chance as anyone to win the tournament. He's going for his second tournament win in a row after taking the championship in Indianapolis last week.

``He beat Andy (Roddick) and Taylor (Dent) last week,'' Blake said. ``And I played pretty well. He just beat me. I definitely think he's playing some of the best tennis in the world right now. I think his ranking will keep going up.''

Former UCLA player Zack Fleishman's Cinderella run ended in the second round with a 6-3, 7-5 loss to Gilles Muller of Luxembourg. Fleishman, ranked No. 345 in the world, upset No. 42 Vincent Spadea in the first round Tuesday.

Fleishman had a chance to take the second set and even the match with a break-point opportunity at 30-40 in the 10th game, but Muller sprayed a backhand down the line to take the point.

``I was happy with the way I played,'' Fleishman said. ``I had a great tournament. But, even though it was the second round, I was playing my fifth match (counting qualifying). My legs were exhausted.''

Matthew Kredell, [phone]

matthew.kredell(at)dailynews.com

CAPTION(S):

2 photos

Photo:

(1 -- color) Andre Agassi advanced to the quarterfinals of the Mercedes-Benz Cup with a 6-2, 7-5 win over Kevin Kim.

Matthew Stockman/Getty Images

(2) Robby Ginepri returns a shot by James Blake on Thursday. Ginepri defeated Blake, 6-3, 7-6 (7-2), to advance in the Mercedes-Benz Cup at UCLA.

Hans Gutknecht/Staff Photographer