The quarter-final clashes for the XL Capital Bermuda Open assumed greater shape yesterday when Israel's Noam Okun and South African Neville Godwin put themselves into the last eight.

Okun gave himself a belated birthday present with a 6-2, 7-6 (7-4) victory over Luis Adrian Morejon of Ecuador on Coral Beach Club's Centre Court while Godwin came alive in the midday heat to beat Czech hopeful Michal Tabara 6-4, 6-1.

Godwin had to wait until later in the day to find out whom he would meet for a semi-final place while Okun, who turned 24 on Tuesday, left the court to contemplate his next opponent - Brazilian Marcos Daniel.

The latter put away American Eric Taino 7-6 (7-2), 6-2 on the upper courts.

"I'm very happy. It was a tough match. It's very hot today and this guy is a fighter. He tries to put every ball in play so I had to attack a lot. In the second set I was missing a lot of my approaches into the net but, finally, in the tie-breaker, I managed to put the balls in under pressure and I won," said a relieved Okun.

The first set against Morejon was not as straightforward as the scoreline suggests with both players having to dig deep amid numerous lengthy rallies.

However, it was Okun who was able to intensify his power when necessary and pull off some amazing points, particularly deft drop shots which left his opponent stranded at the baseline.

After an eventful first four games with an even 2-2 split, Okun stepped up the tempo, taking the next four games and the set, including two breaks.

Battling a cold, 29-year-old Morejon gave a better account of himself in the second set and, despite some close shaves, was able to hold serve until the tie-breaker. He jumped to a 3-1 lead in that but then lost four straight points as Okun came up with an ace and three stunning forehand winners that gave the Ecuadorean no chance.

At that stage, the tide was all in Okun's favour and a weak backhand return into the net was all Morejon could offer as his conqueror served for the set and match.

"He played the important points better than me. My cold affected me. When you have these problems - you're not 100 percent - your game is not the same," said Morejon, in his fourth appearance in Bermuda which he described as "a wonderful place to play tennis".

Noting that he is in "pretty good shape", an ecstatic Okun expressed confidence that he can continue his successful run at the Open.

"I think if I concentrate and give my best I can, perhaps, get to the final," said the player ranked 107 prior to this tournament.

Godwin too is fancying his chances after a comprehensive second-round dismissal of the highly-regarded Tabara; an Open finalist in 2000.

"I really had no expectations coming to this tournament because I play more of my tennis on grass and I am more comfortable there but these courts are playing quite quick and the balls are flying. It suits my game but I think it's tough for the other guys.

"I've never had good results on clay before so, for me, it's a big bonus to do well here. I'm in the quarter-finals and I'll just take one match at a time. I'm really happy so far," said Godwin, assessing his success so far.

The 27-year-old, best known for reaching the fourth round of Wimbledon in 1996, got the early jump on Tabara who was rated number 47 last year. He broke the Czech in the first and third games of the first set and, though himself giving up a break in the fourth game, never looked like relinquishing control of the proceedings as he wrapped up the set 6-4.

Contrasting demeanours told the story of the second set. Godwin, fists pumping with each point won, displayed excellent net play while Tabara, with countless unforced errors, launched an assault on the clay with his racquet as he slumped to a 0-4 deficit in games.

Tabara, 22, held in game five but could not contain his rampant opponent in game seven as Godwin savoured a double break-point. The latter finished in fine style with a ripping backhand winner down the line after Tabara had saved one break point.

"My strength is when I'm at the net. That's where I play most of my tennis. I try coming to the net a lot. It's not normal for a guy my size to come to the net so much but that's where I feel comfortable," said the winner of his style of play.

A clearly dejected Tabara, hinting at an injury to his right shoulder, declined comment as he exited the court - this Bermuda outing definitely not his most memorable.