08.21.2002
GUGA HEADING TO NEW YORK THIS WEDNESDAY
First opponent is french Julien Boutter.
After almost two weeks of hard work in Brazil, Gustavo Kuerten and Larri Passos are leaving to New York this wednesday. The draws are already out, and Guga has to play the french Julien Boutter.
"Its a tough match, but like everything is in a tournament like this. I lost both the two matches we played, but I had some good practicing here, and Im very happy that I can play the last Grand Slam of the season. I like to play in New York, Im looking forward to it and with good memories of the matches I had there last year and in 1999." said Guga, who reached the quarterfinals on both ocasions.
Last year, the brazilian had a match to go into midnight, where he beat belarussian Max Mirnyi, 3 sets to 2, having only 13 unforced errors the whole match.
Another match we cant forget was in 1999, when he lost to the french Cedric Pioline, in four sets. The match had so hard fought points that, in a given moment of the match, Guga crossed the whole court to shake Cedric´s hand for one of his brilliant plays.
Larri, who had closed sessions of practice with Guga since they came back to Florianopolis, said eh laughed a lot when he knew Gugas opponent would be Boutter, 54th in the Entry System and 59th in the Race. "I think we were already preparing ourselves for this match without knowing, because our last work here in Florianopolis, this morning, we had highlights on the serve and volley and the serve return."
The coach also said that he is travelling happy, and that if it depends on the work they developed in these 12 days in Brazil, Guga is ready. "We spent something like 36 hours in the court and Guga did his job very well. All days in my life, even the ones when Guga was the number one, I would wake up thinking about going to work, and thats what we did. Now I just hope the match doesnt go for further than 4 hours, because three we spent in the court everyday."
Larri and Guga have already decided on a practicing session in Flushing Meadows for Thursday. "We are going now, to work there, with the tournament balls, the courts and the weather"
HEAD TO HEAD
Guga vs Boutter
2001 - Basel (indoor carpet)
Boutter df. Kuerten 7/6 6/2
2002 Australian Open (hard-rebound ace)
Boutter df Kuerten 3/6 4/6 7/5 6/3 6/3