Kuerten makes successful return
Former world number one Gustavo Kuerten returned from a seven-month injury
layoff by brushing aside Belgium's Olivier Rochus 6-2 6-4 in the first round
of the Valencia Open on Monday. The three-time French Open champion was
sidelined after undergoing surgery on his right hip last September.
Guga broke the Belgian's serve in the opening game of the claycourt
tournament as he stormed his way into a 4-0 lead.
Rochus held serve in the fifth but it was not enough to prevent the Brazilian
easing his way through the first set in less than half an hour.
The fourth-seeded Belgium made a better start to the second set as he found
his range on his serve and pushed Kuerten harder with fine returns.
He was ultimately unable to stop the 28-year-old clay specialist serving out
to take the second set 6-4.
Kuerten, who shot to fame when he won the 1997 French Open and added further
Roland Garros titles in 2000 and 2001, is a hero in the French capital and
will be desperate to recover full fitness in time for the grand slam, which
starts at the end of May.
Reuters - 04/04/2005
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