PARIS - Marat Safin, the U.S. Open champion trying to hold onto the top spot in the world rankings, beat Swiss qualifier George Bastl 7-5, 6-4 on Wednesday in the second round of the Paris Masters.

I'd like to say thank you very much, the 21-year-old Russian said to the crowd. I'm looking forward to your helping me become the No. 1 in the world this week. Safin will face Frenchman Sebastian Grosjean on Thursday. Australia's Patrick Rafter also reached the third round of the $2.95 million tournament, beating Frenchman Julien Boutter 6-3, 6-2 to set up a match against top-seeded Gustavo Kuerten of Brazil.

He really struggled today, Rafter, a two-time U.S. Open champion, said about Boutter. I kept the pressure on with my serve the whole time and his game deteriorated.

When Rafter and Kuerten met last week in the Lyon quarter-finals, the Australian won in straight sets, enabling Safin to claim the top spot in the world rankings.

In other action, Grosjean beat Germany's Tommy Haas 7-5, 6-4, edged Michael Chang beat Harel Levy of Israel 6-7 (5), 6-4, 6-4.

Also, Italy's Gianluca Pozzi eliminated seventh-seeded Thomas Enqvist of Sweden 6-2, 1-6, 7-6 (5) in a third-round match

Enqvist's exit gave Australian Lleyton Hewitt one of the two remaining berths for the eight-man Masters Cup in Portugal.

Spain's Juan Carlos Ferrero beat Nicolas Lapentti of Ecuador 7-5, 3-6, 6-3, and German qualifier David Prinosil defeated Franco Squillari of Argentina 6-3, 6-3.

Many big-name players are out of the tournament, because of injuries and upsets.

Andre Agassi, the 1999 winner, withdrew Tuesday because of a hip injury. Hewitt pulled out for health reasons, while No. 3 seed Magnus Norman and No. 9 Tim Henman lost in the second round.

Agassi's replacement, Stephane Huet of France, lost to American Jan-Michael Gambill 6-3, 7-5 on Wednesday.