MERCEDES CUP: FERREIRA INTO QUARTERFINALS AFTER SLOW START, S. AFRICAN RALLIES.

Byline: Gerry Gittelson Staff Writer

We learned two things about Wayne Ferreira on Wednesday: He's a slow starter, but more important he's a fast finisher.

Ferreira, South Africa's No. 1 tennis player, lost five of the first seven games in his second-round match against Thailand's Paradorn Srichaphan but triumphed 7-6 (7-1), 4-6, 7-5 to make the Mercedes-Benz Cup quarterfinals at UCLA's L.A. Tennis Center.

In an afternoon match lasting two hours, 17 minutes in 100-degree heat, fifth-seeded Ferreira was at his best at the end, winning eight of the last nine points to take the final two games.

``I guess it just took a while to get my rhythm,'' Ferreira said. ``He came out hitting hard from the very beginning and I started kind of slowly.''

Thailand's Srichaphan is a Bjorn Borg disciple, preferring to plant himself near the baseline and wait for passing-shot opportunities or for his opponent to make the mistake. But toward the end of the third set he changed his strategy - perhaps even panicked - and foiled an opportunity for the tournament's first major upset. Srichaphan began charging the net, and Ferreira, stroking more confidently than ever in the latter stages, took advantage with some wicked passing shots that clinched the victory.

``Even when I was leading, I felt nervous, like Wayne was gonna get me,'' Srichaphan said. ``I try not to think that way, but I just didn't think I'd win. I tried to go for it too much at the end and finish the points a little too fast, but I couldn't get them. I tried my best, but Wayne's a great player.''

Srichaphan's collapse wasn't because he was fatigued. He pointed out that practicing in sticky Bangkok is more grueling than any conditions Los Angeles has to offer.

Ferreria impressed with his stamina. With some of the ATP's biggest names not competing in this tournament - top-seeded Andre Agassi is among several impact players who bowed out because of injuries - Ferreira's victory might be just the platform he needs to steal his first singles title in more than two years. His best Los Angeles finish was last year when he reached the quarterfinals. Wednesday's victory upped his ATP record to 25-13 this year.

``This was a long tough match, but I actually feel pretty good,'' Ferreira said. ``I'm feeling confident and more positive. It was hot today, but I've been here for a few days and I'm used to the heat.''

Ferreira, 28, said he hasn't done much of anything since losing in the fourth round at Wimbledon a month ago. He took a break from tennis, deciding hanging out with his infant son and giving him his 6 a.m. feedings was more important than brooding about the way he lost at Wimbledon - to 237th seed Vladimir Voltchkov.

``I just decided to be a dad,'' he said.

He did make a resolution before coming to Los Angeles, vowing to forget about rankings and concentrate only on winning the tournament.

``When you haven't won in 2 1/2 years, winning starts becoming extremely important,'' he said. ``For me, that's my focus now. Plus, when guys like Andre Agassi and (Gustavo) Kuerton drop out, it makes it a lot easier.''

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Photo: South Africa's Wayne Ferreira stretches to hit a backhand in his 7-6 (7-1), 4-6, 7-5 victory over Thailand's Paradorn Srichaphan to reach the quarterfinals of the Mercedes-Benz Cup at UCLA 

Gus Ruelas/Staff Photographer