The Brazilian 28th seed, champion at Roland Garros in 1997, 2000 and 2001, outclassed his less experienced opponent on Centre-Court in less than two hours.

Kuerten wrapped up victory with a forehand volley to set up a quarterfinal against David Nalbandian of Argentina or Russian Marat Safin.

The 27-year-old Brazilian, a huge favourite with the Paris crowd, has now won three consecutive matches in straight sets after almost being knocked out by a qualifier in the first round.

Kuerten upset Swiss top seed Roger Federer in the third round and maintained his outstanding form against Lopez with some textbook claycourt tennis.

Showing little sign of the hip problem that has been hampering him for the past three years, Kuerten broke for 3-1 in the first set and delivered a delicious smash to close it out.

Kuerten produced the shot of the match to break decisively at 5-5 in the second set, a wonderful cross court forehand that left 22-year-old Lopez, who has reached the Wimbledon fourth round twice before, rolling his eyes in frustration.

The Brazilian was knocked out in the fourth round at Roland Garros in 2002 and 2003 by a Spanish opponent but there was never any danger of a repeat and he broke for 5-4 in the third set before completing an impressive one-hour 53-minute workout.

Kuerten is bidding to become only the second player since tennis turned professional in 1968 to win the French Open four times. Swede Bjorn Borg won it six times between 1974 and 1981.

Meanwhile, unseeded Gaston Gaudio became the third Argentine to make the last eight at this year's Roland Garros. Gaudio reached the quarters with a 6-4, 7-5, 6-3 win over Andreev.

Gaudio now faces either Australian 12th seed Lleyton Hewitt or Belgium's Xavier Malisse for a place in the semifinals.