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Brazilian Gustavo Kuerten is out of the Brazil Open 2003. He was eliminated in three sets by the number one Seed Rainer Schuettler, 6/4, 2/6 and 7/5.
Tomorrow¿s Final at 12.00 will see Schuettler face the Dutchman Sjeng Schalken. Number two Seed Schalken earned his place in the finals after being awarded a walkover in his match against Argentinean Gaston Etlis 6/1 and 2/0.
It was the first time Schuettler had got the better of Guga in four meetings. Kuerten was playing to hold on his 2002 title, and now could drop three positions on the entry ranking that will be announced next Monday.
The Match
This was a clash of two baseline titans. Guga started well and earned himself two chances to break the German serve but couldn¿t make the most of them. The set was even until the sixth game when Kuerten lost his serve, then straight away broke back. In the tenth, Schuettler broke serve again and ended the set 6/4.
The Brazilian got off to a flying start in the second set, breaking the German serve in the first game. In the forth he had to save three break points to hold the advantage, then evened up the match at one set each with 6/2.
The third set turned into a game of wits. In the second game, Guga managed to come back from being 0/40 down and held his serve. In the seventh, Schuettler held off three break points. But Guga stuck to it and in the ninth game got the break he so desperately needed.
With the one break advantage, Kuerten found himself serving for the match at 5/4. But it wasn¿t to be the Brazilian¿s day, and after giving away his serve in the tenth game, then again in the twelfth, the last set closed out at 7/5, and Schuettler¿s thoughts moved towards tomorrow¿s final.
The Brazilian crowd were apparently untroubled by Guga¿s lackluster performance, with plenty of signature seekers at the courtside, and cheering fans as he left for the changing rooms.
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