Agassi faces Thai challenge next

Agassi took the quick opener by dictating play with his signature ground game before Kim put up a stiffer challenge in the next set.

8220;I got off to a good start and managed to hold out the lead in the first set,8221; Agassi said. 8220;But I knew it was a lot closer than the score at that point.8221;

Agassi recorded the lone break in the second set in the final game, sealing the victory with a forehand winner.

8220;I had a few chances but he just kept coming up with some great shots and the standard picked up,8221; Agassi said.

Agassi, who joins No. 2 Dominik Hrbaty of Slovakia as the only seeds remaining from the hardcourt event, was asked if this was his tournament to win for the fourth time.

8220;No, I8217;m in the quarters, there are eight guys who can win it,8221; he said. 8220;I play Paradorn next. I have issues there. This guy hits the ball pretty big.8221;

Germany8217;s Groenefeld will face No. 6 Nathalie Dechy of France in the quarter-finals of the hardcourt event. Dechy beat American Lisa Raymond in three sets Wednesday.