yesterday.

And if the Bermuda-based Australian can win his next three matches on the slow Rome clay he will take over the number one world ranking.

Rafter pounded out 12 aces and 17 service winners in defeating Agassi 6-1, 7-6 (7-4) to reach the quarter-finals of the Italian Open.

But the fourth seed also engaged Agassi in classic exchanges from the baseline, wearing the American down in one rally that lasted 31 strokes.

Rafter said later he hadn't hit the ball so well since he won his second consecutive US Open title last September.

"When I'm hitting the ball well, I know I'll have good results,'' he said.

In a season without any dominant player, the number one ranking had been up for grabs among five players entered in the Italian Open, the last major test before the French Open.

But the current number one, Yevgeny Kafelnikov, continuing a slide begun soon after his Australian Open victory, put his ranking at risk with a loss yesterday to the 16th seeded Gustavo Kuerten.

Kafelnikov received a crystal trophy from the ATP Tour in recognition of last week's ascension to the top ranking in a centre court ceremony before going out and losing 7-5, 6-1.

Carlos Moya, the 1998 French Open champion who was in the running for number one, was upset by a little-known Argentine, Franco Squillari, 6-3, 7-5.

With the earlier elimination of Pete Sampras and Richard Krajicek, Rafter could take over the top spot if he wins the tournament.

"If I get to the finals, then I'll start to get excited,'' said Rafter, playing down his chances on a surface that is not his favourite.

He next faces the unseeded Nicolas Lapentti of Ecuador. Lapentti was the top seed at the recent Bermuda Open where Rafter played only in the doubles.

Also reaching the quarter-finals in Rome yesterday were Spaniards Felix Mantilla and Alex Corretja, both tough on the slow, red clay at the Foro Italico.

Number 15 Mantilla advanced with a 6-2, 6-3 win over Brazilian qualifier Fernando Meligeni, who ousted Sampras on Wednesday.

Agassi, competing in his first tournament in a month because of a shoulder injury, attempted lobs, passing shots, and even tried to serve-and-volley himself a couple of times against Rafter.

But he said he failed to adjust his game to counter the kind of pressure Rafter put on him.

"It's not encouraging, it's very discouraging,'' said Agassi, who called the match "a missed opportunity.'' The 14th-seeded American did fight back from a 5-3 deficit in the second set, saving a match point in the 10th game, but could never get the upper hand.

"I got down early in the first set, early in the second set, and early in the tiebreaker,'' said Agassi, who had lost only 10 games in his first two matches here. "The only thing I did well was compete.'' Agassi managed to pick up just 11 points off Rafter's serve until momentarily turning the tide with his only break to pull even at 5-5 in the second set.

"He came an inch away from getting back into the match,'' said Rafter, who dominated the tiebreaker and now has won three of the players' last four encounters.

Victory salute: Pat Rafter raises his racket after completing a 6-1, 7-6 win over Andre Agassi at the Italian Open yesterday. -- Reuter