Tennis: Kuerten confirms Open return

By TERRY MADDAFORD

In a rare coup, organisers of the 2004 international open have lured both finalists from this year's tournament back to Auckland.

Brazilian Gustavo Kuerten, ranked 15th on the latest ATP list, will be back for January's Heineken Open.

Also confirmed yesterday for the 32-strong main draw was Auckland regular Dominik Hrbaty (Slovakia).

In this year's final of the rain-interrupted tournament Kuerten beat Hrbaty 6-3, 7-5.

It was Hrbaty's fifth appearance at the ASB Bank Tennis Centre and his second final. He won in 2001.

Former world No 4 Todd Martin (US) will make his first appearance at the January 12-17 tournament.

After winning here, Kuerten went on to reach the semifinals in Buenos Aires and Acapulco in successive weeks.

He lost the final at Indian Wells (to Lleyton Hewitt) but came back strongly to win his 19th career singles title two weeks ago, beating Sargis Sargisan (Armenia) in the final of the rich St Petersburg Open.

In a recorded interview at yesterday's open launch, Kuerten said his win in Auckland had given him "probably my best start ever to a year". He went on to say finding form so early in the year was quicker than expected.

"Perhaps I can repeat that next year," said Kuerten.

And, as a warning to other players, he said: "I will try and raise my level a bit higher.

"Auckland brings back good memories. The way I hit the ball in the final, especially the last few points, allowed me to win, celebrate and relax."

Hrbaty went on from Auckland to reach the semifinals in Umag and Casablanca and beat current world No 1 Andy Roddick (US) in their Davis Cup clash. Ranked 57th in the world, Hrbaty will be unseeded for the open.

Martin, at 33 the second-oldest tour regular behind Andre Agassi (also 33), reached No 4 in the world in September 1999. Now ranked No 62, he may need a wildcard to go straight into the main draw at the open.

Martin has twice reached grand slam finals, losing to Pete Sampras in Australia in 1994 and to Agassi in the US Open five years later.

Tournament director Graham Pearce, pleased to attract such big-name players, said "Guga's [Kuerten's] fans had created an electric atmosphere at the Heineken Open.

"It's now great for the 2004 open that both finalists are returning," Pearce said. "That, and having a new player like Todd Martin means the event is off to a flying start."

Pearce expects to name more players in the next few weeks and that the final field will be known by December 2.