By TERRY MADDAFORD
Gustavo Kuerten snapped a losing streak to deliver all he had promised and a lot more in beating Dominik Hrbaty 6-3, 7-5 in yesterday's much-delayed men's final.
The Heineken Open was the rangy Brazilian's tournament - even down to getting the start times he wanted.
But nobody cared.
One of the most popular players to front at the ASB Tennis Centre, "Guga" always gave the impression he was in control.
While his opponents ran and were seemingly stretched to keep the ball in play, Kuerten was always better.
He gave the feeling that tennis should be played at his pace, even against a player who had beaten him in their only two previous meetings.
Unhurried, he always appeared in position to play the ball close to his body without the need to poke his racket out in desperation - even against a player on song to the extent that Hrbaty was.
The Slovak, ranked one place outside the world's top 50 and 14 lower than Kuerten on the year-ending rankings, hits the ball hard and flat. Against allcomers in Auckland, that was enough to get Hrbaty through.
Only once - against sixth-seed Jan-Michael Gambill in the second round - was the unseeded Hrbaty taken to a third set.
The 2001 champion - and winner of two other ATP titles - kept Kuerten honest.
His well-struck, two-handed backhand was a potent weapon throughout the match, which lasted a tick under two hours in temperatures hovering at 35C throughout.
But in the end the difference was the extra class the former world No 1 brought to the court and the yellow-shirted support that was firmly behind him.
Despite having to delay the final a day because of the wretched weather, Auckland Tennis was rewarded with a crowd close to the 3400 capacity.
Twice in the first set Kuerten handed his younger rival a break chance with a double fault.
But any hope Hrbaty might have had of converting and snatching the advantage was quickly snuffed out with an ace.
Three of the five aces Kuerten fired down came on crucial points, all of them in the second set. The result was that Hrbaty could not put his rival under any real pressure.
Double faults - four each - made little difference. Kuerten's ability to produce the uncanny did.
With a ridiculously low first-serve percentage of just 41 per cent in the first set, Kuerten had to call on other parts of his game.
His ability to stay in the point with well-angled shots, usually to within millimetres of the baseline or deep corners, kept Hrbaty guessing and with few opportunities to hit clean winners.
Long rallies were the exception rather than the rule but still entertaining enough to keep the crowd enthralled.
Kuerten committed more unforced errors and trailed the first serve percentage overall 47 to 63.
But on the key counters - break points won, total points won and break points saved - he was well ahead.
After receiving his $US30,600 ($57,000) runner's-up cheque, Hrbaty, who has made the final on both his trips to Auckland, said: "I was happy to be in the final. Congratulations to Guga, he is a great player. We enjoy coming here.
"But today I made more mistakes. He was serving much better. He played much better from the baseline. He is a different kind of opponent than I had played during the week.
"At break point, he gave me an ace. But, overall, I'm very happy with my tennis in the eight matches I have played so far this year."
Like Kuerten, Hrbaty is wary of the Australian Open.
"If I can get through the first round [tomorrow's match with 20th seed Xavier Malisse], I hope I can go far."
Kuerten was all smiles as he reflected on his 18th career title - and a cheque for $US52,000.
"It was helpful for my game and my confidence," said the 26-year-old. "It is great to win a title. I'm going to enjoy the next few hours then think about the Australian Open.
"Like the semifinal, I stepped up for the big points today. A lucky bounce can keep you in the match.
"The court was playing fast. He was playing flat but I was able to raise my levels.
"This was the best preparation for the Australian Open for sure," Kuerten said.
"I did not expect to win this tournament when I got here. It has been a great week for me. Winning is so important for our game.
"It was really great. I'm the luckiest guy. It has been perfect for me."
And, he promised, the chances of his returning to defend were "pretty good."
That would be greeted, one feels, with universal approval. Having Hrbaty with him only added to the occasion.
Tennis: 'Guga' all style in Open win
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