Spain's Tommy Robredo trumped three-time winner Gustavo Kuerten of Brazil in style at the French Open on Monday to reach the quarter-finals of a grand slam event for the first time.

Robredo's 6-4, 1-6, 7-6, 6-4 victory in the fourth round means that there will be four Spaniards in the last eight at Roland Garros for the first time.

The 21-year-old, who beat world number one Lleyton Hewitt in the third round, joins compatriots Carlos Moya, Juan Carlos Ferrero and his next opponent, holder Albert Costa, in the last eight.

"I've beaten the ace, I've beaten the king, now I really need to beat the queen, don't I?" Robredo said. "I have beaten the number one, I've beaten the person who has won here three times and the next person on my list is Costa."

"If I beat the lot, I'll have beaten the entire pack of cards."

Kuerten, the 1997, 2000 and 2001 champion, saved four match points before bowing to the number 28 seed after two hours and 46 minutes.

Robredo, who reached the fourth round at Roland Garros and the US Open in 2001, admitted he had to battle both his nerves and his Brazilian opponent.

"I'm delighted with my match today," he said, "particularly since I overcame the most difficult part on court, the pressure."

"I started out very nervous. I wasn't feeling very well at all. I hit a few balls out. It's incredible when you start thinking about these kind of things on court."

"But I think there is even greater merit in winning a match while not playing well."

Kuerten, seeded 15th, lost in the fourth round in Paris last year too.

"He was a little bit more inspired when he tried different things," the Brazilian said. "He had much more variation on his game. He is playing great tennis. He believes in himself."