Gustavo Kuerten of Brazil began the new season on a successful note with a straight-sets victory over Dominik Hrbaty of Slovakia at the Heineken Open in Auckland.

The former world number one, who won just one title last season in an injury-ravaged campaign that saw him finish outside the top 10 for the first time since 1998, defeated Hrbaty 6-3 7-5.

It was the 19th career title for Kuerten, a three-time French Open champion whose lone success last year came in his home country.

The Brazilian now moves on to the Australian Open in Melbourne, where he is scheduled to meet current world number one and top seed Lleyton Hewitt in the third round.

Kuerten said: "I was really aggressive and playing well and in the end I had a little luck," he said.

"I raised my level so much from the first match of the tournament. The confidence I got from the level of tennis I had this week is good for the Open, so much better than in the past. I didn't expect to win when I arrived this week."

For Hrbaty, it was his eighth career final and his first since winning the Auckland title in 2001.

"I had few chances that I could make but I didn't take them," he said.

"But he was playing well and serving great. I had to take my chances but 'Guga' was playing a much different game than Mantilla in the semis."

At least he has warmed up well for the Grand Slam Down Under.

"I go into the tournament [Australian Open] with about eight matches behind me which is good," he said