contrasting victories yesterday as both advanced to the third round of the the $2.95 million Tennis Masters Series tournament in Paris.

There was good news, too, for their compatriot Lleyton Hewitt, who withdrew from the event with a mystery allergy on Tuesday but learned 24 hours later that other results mean he is a certain qualifier for the season-ending Tennis Masters Cup in Lisbon at the end of the month.

Rafter blasted his way to a straight sets win over French wild card Julien Boutter while Philippoussis struggled to a three-set triumph over Dominik Hrbaty of Slovakia.

Rafter, twice a winner of the US Open, downed Boutter 6-3, 6-2 to set up a meeting in the last 16 with top-seeded Brazilian Gustavo Kuerten. Rafter, the 15th seed here, beat Kuerten in straight sets in the quarter-finals in Lyon last week and is relishing another meeting with the French Open champion.

The Australian, preparing for next month's Davis Cup final against Spain in Barcelona, showed no signs of the shoulder injury that has plagued him on-and-off this year as he overpowered Boutter."He was a little too nervous and never really got into the match, while I played really well,'' Rafter said.

"I kept the pressure on him with my serve for the whole match and his game deteriorated, unfortunately for him.

"I'm looking forward to playing Guga again. It will be a tough match, but we are good mates and it will be fun. Whenever we play it is 50-50.'' Patrick Rafter: in fine form.