Kuerten tops Coria to win Brasil Open

Associated Press, Costa do Sauipe, Brazil

Gustavo Kuerten won his first Brasil Open title Sunday, fighting hard in scorching sunshine to beat Argentina's Guillermo Coria 6- 7 (4), 7-5, 7-6 (2).

It is the first victory of 2002 for the former world No. 1, and the first since undergoing hip surgery in February.

"I think there is nothing better than this achievement to motivate and realize dreams, to win here in Brazil," said Kuerten, a three-time French Open champion.

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

Kuerten got off to a strong start, 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's first serve went wide, the second went in and the Brazilian chose to run forward and put the heat on Coria. It paid off when the Argentine tried a passing shot down the line but fired it into the net.

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

An unforced error by Coria on a forehand shot from the baseline gave Kuerten a mini-break to go 3-1 up. After successive breaks, Kuerten finally managed to stamp his authority on the match.

Later, Kuerten went back on court with fellow Brazilian Andre Sa to face Scott Humphries of the United States and Mark Merklein of the Bahamas in the doubles final.

In Waikoloa, Hawaii, Cara Black became the first player from Zimbabwe to win a WTA Tour title, beating second-seeded Lisa Raymond 7-6 (1), 6-4 on Sunday in the Big Island Championships.

"It's unreal," the 23-year-old Black said. "My coach (Brett "Moose" Stephens) and I were talking about it during the U.S. Open when I lost there, that this week would be a good opportunity to win some matches and maybe win my first title. It shows that if you believe a little and think about it you can do it.

"We had some unbelievable rallies out there and the difference was just one or two points. It just came down to a few points at the end of it and luckily I was the one who came through."

Black led 5-2 in the opening set, but Raymond fought back to tie it at 5-5. Black regained control, taking the tiebreaker 7-1.

"If I could have gotten that under my belt maybe I would have relaxed a little bit," said Raymond, 3-7 in tour finals.

"Even losing the breaker I felt I could still win the match, but I just didn't get it done. She served well and she's really scrappy."

Black credited Brett Stephens, also her boyfriend, who helped Pete Sampras win the US Open.

"I wasn't really motivated enough the last couple years, and now I finally got my desire back," the 61st-ranked Black said. "Brett's been a big part in that."