Hewitt cruises while Henman hangs on.(South Florida Sun-Sentinel)

WIMBLEDON, England _ World No. 1 Lleyton Hewitt breezed to his fourth consecutive win without losing a set to fire into the quarterfinals at Wimbledon on Monday, but even in the second week of the tournament it's hard to grade the quality of his play.

These aren't stiffs Hewitt is knocking off, but neither are they threats to make the top 20.

"I've had a few tight sets, no doubt about that," Hewitt pleaded after dropping the light-hitting Russian Mikhail Youzhny 6-3, 6-3, 7-5 with the loss of only one service game.

"That last set out there was tight. I've had to come through in pressure situations, break points down, stuff like that."

Hewitt gets an A grade for focus, grit and over-zealous praise of an opponent. In truth, he's also had a much easier time reaching the final eight than No. 4 seed Tim Henman, who once again had the British public chewing its nails before he beat Michel Kratochvil 7-6 (5), 6-7 (2), 4-6, 6-3, 6-2.

Or was that Kratochvil whipping himself? The Swiss contender committed 17 double-faults _ many of them at key junctures _ and handed Henman, who has been heavily under pressure the last three rounds, 57 unforced errors.

When play was called at 8:58 p.m. London time because of decreasing light, six of the quarterfinal spots had been decided. No. 2 Brit Greg Rusedski and Xavier Malisse walked off court at two sets apiece and Mark Philippoussis and Richard Krajicek, the 1996 champion, never got started. They'll play Tuesday.