Eighth-seeded Nalbandian put an end to Russian Marat Safin's colourful and controversial Paris adventure with a 7-5, 6-4, 6-7, 6-3 win to set up an intriguing clash with three-time champion Gustavo Kuerten of Brazil.

Kuerten, the champion in 1997, 2000 and 2001, enjoyed a 6-3, 7-5, 6-4 victory over Spaniard Feliciano Lopez.

Unseeded Gaudio saw off Russia's Igor Andreev, the conqueror of defending champion Juan Carlos Ferrero, 6-4, 7-5, 6-3 to set up a quarterfinal clash against Australian 12th seed Lleyton Hewitt who beat Belgium's Xavier Malisse 7-5, 6-2, 7-6.

Argentina's awesome foursome is completed by third seed Guillermo Coria, who faces Spain's former champion Carlos Moya in the last eight, and Juan Ignacio Chela, the 22nd seed, who meets British ninth seed Tim Henman.

Before this year, the most Argentines at a Grand Slam quarterfinal stage had been two when Jose Luis-Clerc and Guillermo Vilas reached the last eight here in 1982.

That mark was equalled by Nalbandian and Coria at the US Open in 2003.

Safin's attempts to add the French Open title to his 2000 US Open victory were shattered by more problems with the hand blisters he picked up in his five-set, third round win against Potito Starace.

He had most of his fingers taped and required nine visits from the trainer to keep him in the match but Nalbandian, showing a sure touch on all parts of the court, was simply too good for the ailing Russian.

"I tried to take care of the blisters, but by the end of the match I couldn't hit forehands," said the popular Russian who counted 11 blisters on his hands by the end of the match.

"Sadly, there were just too many rivals today."

Nalbandian, the 2002 Wim-bledon runner-up, said he tried to shut out the delays caused by Safin's problems.

"The interruptions were annoying but I just had to keep my focus. It wasn't easy for him. I think he was also very tired so I tried to keep him moving around the court."

Hewitt, a former US Open and Wimbledon winner, brushed past Malisse in 2hr 45min to equal his best performance here while the 25-year-old Gaudio has now achieved his best ever Grand Slam performance.

The firebrand Australian said that weeks of playing on clay in Europe, prior to the second Grand Slam of the season, were beginning to pay off.

"I felt confident out there," said Hewitt.

"I tired to hang in there more than anything and was happy to get out of that third set and get a straight sets win."