Match report

Gustavo Kuerten © Tennistalk.com
ATP Masters Series Monte Carlo
1st round
4/21/08 1 2 Tot
br  Gustavo Kuerten 1 2 0
hr  Ivan Ljubicic 6 6 2
Ivan Ljubicic © Tennistalk.com

  • Guga bids farewell to Monte Carlo with first round loss to Ivan Ljubicic

    4/22/08 3:48 AM | Jonathan Morgan
    At this point for Kuerten, the wins and losses are not what matters. His movement on the court has gotten progressively worse, and he is simply enjoying his time left as he is no longer a contender.

    Ljubicic was really in no trouble at all in this match as Kuerten, as much as it pains most of us to say it, is the equivalent to a BYE nowadays. He is a mere shadow of his former self, the same one that had a gorgeous backhand and superb clay court game, winning the French Open in 1997, 2000, and 2001. He is now injured and was limping around the court at times with his hip.

    Kuerten won the Monte Carlo event in 1999 and 2001, but those past triumphs are long gone. Ljubicic was able to easily smack winners from both sides and throw down 7 aces. Anytime the rally went more than 2 shots, Kuerten was simply unable to run for the ball. It is sad to see him go out this way but it is great that he is doing one last round in Europe to say goodbye and will retire at Roland Garros, the scene of his 3 greatest triumphs.

    Ljubicic, by the way, will play Djokovic in the 2nd round on Tuesday.

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