GUSTAVA KUERTEN won his first Brazil Open title Sunday, fighting hard in scorching sunshine to beat Argentina’s Guillermo Coria 6-7 (4), 7-5, 7-6 (2).

　　It was the first victory in 13 months for the former world No. 1 and three-time French Open champion, who underwent hip surgery in February.

　　The win will likely push Kuerten back into the top 40 of the ATP rankings.

　　It was the 17th title of Kuerten’s career, but the first he has won in his native Brazil.

　　Kuerten got off to a strong start in Salvador , breaking Coria’s first service game. The Argentine recovered, breaking service and taking the first set in the tiebreaker.

　　The match settled into a long ball battle from the baseline, with both players reluctant to come into the net.

　　The second set went with service until Kuerten, leading 6-5, broke Coria’s serve to close out the set and even the match.

　　Kuerten came out well in the third set, breaking Coria’s service in the first game. The Argentine’s head dropped and his confidence seemed sapped.

　　Kuerten held on to his serve in the fourth game to go 3-1 up and the Argentine looked to the heavens for inspiration. He broke back in the eighth game, returning the Brazilian’s second service and after an exchange of crosscourt shots Kuerten’s forehand return sailed wildly off into the crowd, leveling the match at 4-4.

　　Frustration seeped in and both players took turns to gripe at officials over close calls.

　　In the 10th game, Coria put Kuerten’s serve under pressure and earned the first match point.

　　Kuerten held on to win the game and level the match at 5-5, and two games later the match went to a tiebreaker. (SD-Agencies)