Gustavo Kuerten completed a 3-6 6-2 6-3
victory over Argentinian Agustin Calleri on Sunday to capture the Brasil Open
title.
The third-seeded Brazilian was leading the final 3-6 6-2 1-0 on Saturday when
play was suspended until Sunday because of rain.
A former world number one and three-time French Open champion, Kuerten used
the support of his home crowd to bounce back from a disappointing opening set.
But persistent rain, which fell as the match began, eventually forced the
suspension of play. He picked up where he left off, playing impressively again
on Sunday.
"It has been the week of confirmation for me," said Kuerten.
"I have been a fighter on court and gave more than 100% on court with all my
heart on every point."
Kuerten, who earned £28,000 for his win, collected his first title of the year
and 20th of his career.
It was his 14th crown on clay, but first on the dirt since capturing titles in
2001.
He won this event two years ago, when it was held on hard courts.
"These are the things that keep motivating me since I know there are not many
players with so many titles," he said.
"I am continuing to play for this reason and to experience the feelings I had
today again."
The victory improved Kuerten's season record to 14-4.
He was runner-up at Vina del Mar in Chile two weeks ago.
The fourth-seeded Calleri was hoping to add this title to the one he won last
year on clay at Acapulco.
Instead, he lost to Kuerten for the fourth time in five meetings.
"It was a weird final since we played in two different days and this is the
first time it happened to me," said Calleri.
"Yesterday I started very well, but then it started to rain very heavily and
I lost a big of concentration.
"Then 'Guga' started to serve very well.
"The umpire did not want to suspend the match for rain. I started today a
little bit nervous."
E-mail Article 
Print-Friendly
Subscribe to RSS Feed 
Post to del.icio.us
Facebook