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Smooth opener Kuerten begins title defense with rout of Coria
Updated: Monday May 28, 2001 9:04 PM
PARIS (Reuters) -- Gustavo Kuerten hit the red clay of Roland Garros running on Monday, beginning the defence of his French Open crown with a 6-1, 7-5, 6-4 victory over talented Argentine Guillermo Coria. The Brazilian top seed, aiming to become the first man to win back-to-back French titles since Sergi Bruguera in 1994, was in ominous form as he set up a second-round clash with another Argentine, Agustin Calleri. Coria, who lost to Kuerten at Monte Carlo in April, came into the tournament with the third best record on clay of any player this season. But the 19-year-old had no answer to the tremendous pace and accuracy of his opponent's ground strokes. Kuerten broke for the first time in game two, Coria saving the first break point before firing a forehand just long on the second. The Brazilian raced into a 5-0 lead in the first set and although Coria competed better in the next two sets Kuerten was unstoppable, completing victory in one hour 46 minutes. "I knew I would have to play strongly from the start of the match," Kuerten said. "Coria is already a great player, as he's shown reaching semifinals and finals in Monte Carlo and Mallorca. "I was expecting him to put up a strong fight but I started so well, serving strongly, that I was able to put pressure on him. I also felt very relaxed." Kuerten was cheered on his way to victory by a Paris crowd who hold him dear to their hearts after his victories here in 1997 and 2000. "It's always special for me to come here and play," he said. "It's exciting and I always have good vibes. "It's nice when the crowd are supporting you out there, screaming and everything. "I think it makes the game more interesting." Kuerten said he was feeling fit after an unexpected break in Hamburg following a first-round defeat. But he offered another strong hint that he will take a break instead of playing Wimbledon. "I think that week off, when I didn't play so well in Hamburg, worked well for me," he said. "I was also being careful after my leg injury. "I play a lot of tennis at this time of year. I've been in two Masters Series finals and I hope to do well again this week. "I may have to take a break after the French Open."
Copyright 2003 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved. |
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