Zabaleta loses his cool

Kuerten will face Roger Federer or Adrian Voinea next

 Thursday's Hamburg results

Fiery outbursts from Mariano Zabaleta and Lleyton Hewitt dominated proceedings as the Hamburg Masters moved into the third round on Thursday.

Zabaleta faces a fine after smashing his racquet and pulling down his shorts during his defeat to Max Mirnyi, while Hewitt furiously contested a line call during his win over Jiri Novak.

Every match I go out there it's one more step for me

Gustavo Kuerten

Argentine baseliner Zabaleta threw his racquet several times during the 6-3 2-6 6-4 loss to Mirnyi and at one stage pulled his shorts halfway down after losing a point.

Zabaleta smashed his racquet into the clay after losing on match point and, although the match was officially over, he may still be fined.

"It doesn't matter if the match point was over, if you break a racquet it will be investigated and you will probably be fined," ATP spokesman Nicola Arzani said after the match.

Roddick out

Number 13 seed Andy Roddick made a low-key exit, failing to find anything like his best form in a 6-3 7-5 defeat to Frenchman Julien Boutter.

The American could not cope with his opponent's repeated forays to the net, but remains optimistic ahead of the French Open.

"Look, my game isn't about hitting every ball as hard as I can but he just really went for all his shots and they all came off," said Roddick.

"There was nothing I could do. But I still feel that I am playing well and my preparations are on track."

More impressive was the rejuvenated Gustavo Kuerten, who continued his comeback in style as he brushed aside Guillermo Canas to reach the quarter-finals.

Hewitt came through despite his outburst

The second-seeded Brazilian, who returned from a hip injury two weeks ago, needed just 85 minutes to complete a 7-5 6-2 victory.

"I think I can improve," said Kuerten. "When I get to my real level maybe I will be just as I was before. I think every match I go out there it's one more step for me."

He now faces a quarter-final clash with Switzerland's Roger Federer, who beat Adrian Voinea in straight sets.

Seventh seed Tommy Haas crashed out in straight sets to Spain's Tommy Robredo.

Elsewhere sixth seed Marat Safin was tested by Juan Ignacio Chela, but came through in two sets.

Top seed Hewitt was in impressive form as he beat Jiri Novak 6-4 6-3 in a high quality encounter.

Hewitt had to save five break points while serving for the first set, and broke in the eighth game of the second set to set up the win.

But midway through the second set Hewitt demanded to see the referee after disagreeing with a line call from umpire Norm Chryst.

"Call the referee because I disagree with that call," said the Australian. "I strongly disagree with that decision. Call the referee."

However, tournament referee Norbert Peick did not appear and Hewitt was eventually forced to continue.

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Thursday's Hamburg results

J Boutter (Fra) bt A Roddick (USA,13) 6-3 7-5

R Federer (Swi,11) bt A Voinea (Rom) 7-5 6-4

L Hewitt (Aus,1) bt J Novak (Cze,14) 6-4 6-3

G Kuerten (Bra, 2) bt G Canas (Arg, 15) 7-5 6-2

M Mirnyi (Bela) bt M Zabaleta (Arg) 6-3 2-6 6-4

M Safin (Rus) bt J Ignacio Chela (Arg) 7-6 7-5

T Robredo (Spa) bt T Haas (Ger) 6-4 6-4

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