Guillermo Coria
COSTA DO SAUIPE, Brazil – Gustavo Kuerten lost for the second time in as many days at the Brazil Open on Tuesday, playing his last match as a professional in his home country.
The three-time French Open champ lost 7-5, 6-1 to Argentina’s Carlos Berlocq in a first-round match.
On Monday, Kuerten and countryman Andre Baran lost 6-3, 6-3 to Italy’s Fabio Fognini and Filippo Volandri in doubles.
The 31-year-old Kuerten, who was ranked No. 1 in December 2000 but hasn’t won a title since 2004, announced last month he will retire from professional tennis after the French Open, which starts May 26 in Paris.
”It’s sad to see your career come to an end,” said a teary-eyed Kuerten, who has struggled with a chronic hip injury. ”I tried. I played a good first set, but afterward I just didn’t have any strength left in me.
”I have lived many great moments and this is one of them. But I can no longer play. I’m sorry but I can’t.”
Earlier in the day, former world No. 3 Guillermo Coria defeated Italian qualifier Francesco Aldi 6-4, 7-5. It was his first ATP victory in 19 months.
”This is the happiest day in my career,” Coria said. ”After nearly 20 months, I finally managed to win. I know I did not play well, but I won, and that is the most important thing.”
Coria quit the ATP Tour a month later after the 2006 U.S. Open because of struggles with his serve and confidence. Problems with his right shoulder sidelined him until the end of last year when he played in two challenger tour events.
In other matches, Argentina’s Sergio Roitman downed countryman Agustin Calleri 6-3, 6-2; Eduardo Schwank of Argentina beat Russia’s Igor Andreev 6-3, 6-2; Czech Ivo Minar beat Italy’s Potito Starace 6-4, 4-6, 6-2; and Spain’s Nicolas Almagro defeated Chile’s Nicolas Massu 6-3, 6-2.
Also, Olivier Patience of France defeated Argentina’s Juan Pablo Brzezicki 6-3, 7-5; Sebastian Decoud of Argentina beat countryman Jose Acasuso 6-3, 1-6, 7-6 (3); and Italian qualifier Fillipo Volandri beat Spain’s Daniel Munoz de la Nava 6-2, 6-4.
Source: Coria wins for first time in 19 months
