Brazil's Kuerten looks for positives in defeat

INDIAN WELLS, California, Mar 10 (Reuters) Former world number one Gustavo Kuerten, inching his way back after hip surgery in 2004, was in upbeat mood despite losing in the first round of the men's event at the Pacific Life Open.

The Brazilian, who played only one ATP singles match last year during his rehabilitation, led 3-1 and 5-3 in the opening set before going out to Argentina's Juan Martin del Potro 7-6 6-2 yesterday.

''I think the match could have been very different if I had won that first set, I would have been much more confident,'' Kuerten, 30, told reporters after a defeat that lasted one hour on the stadium court at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden.

''Instead of that, I was very frustrated because I knew to go to three (sets) would be really tough for me.

''Overall, though, it was a good workout for me. He's a good player who will probably finish this year around top 50 or better.

That means my form is getting closer to where I want it.'' The three-times French Open champion, who had hip surgery in September 2004, is making his fourth ATP appearance of the year. In eight matches, he was won only twice.

''I just need to get a little bit more consistency, and then maybe some more endurance too, during my next tournaments,'' added Kuerten, who won the most recent of his 20 ATP titles at Vina del Mar in 2004.

''In two or three months, I think I'll be able to get back everything again.'' Del Potro, who ended last year ranked 91st in the world, next meets 15th-seeded Frenchman Richard Gasquet.

NUMBER ONE All the seeded players get byes into the second round of the hardcourt tournament at Indian Wells where three-times champion and world number one Roger Federer is seeking his eighth consecutive ATP title.

The Swiss maestro won his 10th grand slam title at the Australian Open in January before crushing Russian Mikhail Youzhny 6-4 6-3 in Saturday's Dubai Open final.

In other first-round matches on Friday, Germany's Florian Mayer brushed aside Russian Igor Kunitsyn 6-1 6-2 while American Vince Spadea beat Stefan Koubek of Austria, also 6-1 6-2.

Frenchman Julien Benneteau survived two match points before coming back to beat compatriot Gael Monfils 3-6 6-3 7-5.

Trailing 5-2 in the third set, the 25-year-old from Bourg-en-Bresse responded by winning the next five games to seal victory in just over two hours.

Benneteau next meets 27th seed Jurgen Melzer of Austria in the opening Masters Series event of the year.

Frenchman Paul-Henri Mathieu knocked out Spaniard Alberto Martin 6-4 6-1 and Argentine Jose Acasuso overcame Sebastien Grosjean of France 6-4 6-4.

REUTERS SAM BD1046