Christophe Rochus pulled off the biggest shock of the Bermuda Open so far by ousting 1997 winner Johan Van Herck yesterday.

Rochus, whose world ranking is nearly 100 places below Van Herck, blasted away his fellow Belgian's unbeaten record in Bermuda to set up a quarter-final clash with fourth seed Guillermo Canas.

Van Herck was undone by the sheer tenacity of his opponent and suffered his first defeat in seven matches at Coral Beach, 6-4, 6-2.

It was Rochus's second victory in less than 24 hours, following his 6-4, 6-1 dismissal of Czech Jiri Vanek on Tuesday night.

But the 20-year-old showed no signs of fatigue in a performance which suggested he has the perfect game for winning on clay.

A never-say-die spirit, combined with naggingly accurate ground strokes and a forehand which was ferocious at times was all too much for Van Herck.

The former champion had the more powerful serve but after a few games to get his eye in, Rochus was returning with ease and once into lengthy rallies, Van Herck was always the likelier to make an error.

Rochus makes up for his lack of height with an athleticism which makes him entertaining to watch.

A typical scorching forehand winner sealed the sole break of serve in the first set for Rochus in the seventh game.

The second set produced some breathtaking tennis as Van Herck found his range but Rochus refused to surrender the initiative.

Breaks in the third and seventh games secured victory for the world number 209 against his friend, the world number 113.

"We practice together in Belgium and I have known him for two or three years now, but I have never played him before in a tournament,'' said Rochus.

"He was serving well, but my best shot is the return of serve and it was not easy, but I was getting it back at least two or three times in every one of his service games.

"I like running around my backhand and using the forehand and today it worked well.'' His excellent form has raised his expectations of how well he can do in the tournament.

"Before I came here I thought reaching the quarter-finals would be good for me, but now I am playing well and feeling good physically, so it just depends on who I play.''