Guillermo Coria showed why he will be a dangerous proposition at this month's US Open by dismantling the challenge of Russian Mikhail Youzhny 6-2 6-1 in the Cincinnati Masters Series third round on Thursday.

But rising American youngsters Robby Ginepri and Mardy Fish also gave home fans encouragement ahead of the year's final grand slam by storming into the last eight here with straight sets wins.

United States tennis will get another chance to showcase its coming new era later on Thursday (2330GMT) when seventh seed Andy Roddick faces James Blake in the primetime evening session clash.

Sixth seed Coria, of Argentina, is quickly developing a hardcourt game to complement his renowned mastery of clay.

The world number five will also not lack confidence when the US Open begins on August 25.

He has now won 18 out of 19 matches on the ATP Tour -- the only blemish being an injury which caused him to retire hurt in the first round of the Montreal Masters Series last week.

"I feel I can play on hard courts," the French Open semi-finalist told reporters.

"I'm getting used to them and I'm now confident about going far here, as well as being in good shape for the US Open."

Coria will not be a leading favourite for the Open, but the big names will not relish a match-up with a player whose speed, touch and defensive qualities make up for a lack of brute force.

REMARKABLE TURNAROUND

It is not inconceivable that the 21-year-old could head to New York as the leader of the Champions Race.

He will become the new number one if he wins in Cincinnati -- a remarkable turnaround considering he finished 57 in the race last year.

"I'm trying not to think about being number one in the race," he said. "I'm just trying to take things one step at a time and not feel the pressure."

Coria's compatriot, Gaston Gaudio, failed to join him in the quarter-finals after losing 6-1 7-6 to Ginepri.

Gaudio had knocked out second seed Juan Carlos Ferrero on Wednesday, but there were no repeat of his fireworks -- save for a bizarre attempt at a drop shot through his legs midway through the second set.

Ginepri has quickly recovered from a first round exit at the Montreal Masters last week, and his victory on Thursday gave him his third Masters Series quarter-final of the year.

"I want to go further than that," he said. "I've just got to stay focused and continue to be aggressive."

Fish, at 21 a year older than Ginepri, beat Frenchman Arnaud Clement 6-2 6-2 to register his best ever performance at a Masters Series event.

Todd Martin, a blast from the US's past glories, did not fare so well. The 33-year-old succumbed 7-5 3-6 6-3 to eighth seed Rainer Schuettler of Germany.

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