Stuttgart, Germany - Nicolas Kiefer was hoping to line up against a German Davis Cup teammate in the quarter-finals of the Mercedes Cup after securing his own spot in the last eight 6-3, 6-4 over compatriot Simon Greul Thursday.

Kiefer, 32, playing the event for the first time in a dozen years, was hoping for a victory later from fifth-seeded German Philipp Kohlschreiber over Polish qualifier Lukas Kubot in their second-round encounter.

"It would be great if Philip could win his match," said Kiefer after his victory in an hour and a quarter. "That way we would have a German safely into the semi-finals for sure."

Italian Fabio Fognini got easy passage into the quarters as France's Paul-Henri Mathieu retired trailing 6-4, 4-1 after an hour.

Kiefer's beaten opponent Greul was annoyed by three double-faults in a row on his way to defeat in his first meeting with the veteran.

"I'm disappointed, but 'Kiwi' was playing very well," said the number 87, ranked 40 spots below Kiefer.

The Stuttart event was handed a bureaucratic setback in a city court with a ruling that the provider Bet-at-Home could not continue as a sponsor, with its banners to be removed from the courts at the Weissenhof club.

The decision followed one of a similar nature for next week's former Masters event in Hamburg, now reduced to the modest 250 level on the ATP.

Hamburg was prevented from taking up a Bet-at-Home sponsorship worth a quarter of a million euros. But the city of Hamburg is reportedly set to donate 200,000 euros for the event which begins Monday.(dpa)