Tennis-Kuerten says farewell to Sony Ericsson Open

By Sandra Harwitt

MIAMI, March 26 (Reuters) - Former world number one Gustavo Kuerten lost 6-1 7-5 to Frenchman Sebastien Grosjean on Wednesday in his last appearance at the Sony Ericsson Open.

The Brazilian, plagued by a long time hip injury but granted a wildcard into the Miami draw, has said he will retire after this year's French Open starting in May unless he receives a wildcard into the Olympic Games in Beijing in August.

"I think it is a great decision that I did to play at least (a) few more tournaments for myself and to be able to enjoy," said Kuerten.

Urged on by a small crowd chanting "Guga, Guga", the three times French Open champion did his best to send the match into a third set and held even with the 52nd-ranked Grosjean until near the end of the second.

Saving two break points on serve in the 10th game, Grosjean finally had the winning answer on the third break point when he hit a backhand down the line.

"The first set I thought maybe would be too fast for him and I (would) not be able to enjoy so much," Kuerten said. "But then luckily I was wrong. Then I had some great feelings in the second."

Kuerten has never fully recovered from a hip injury in which surgery offered limited results. Frequently when serving, he could be seen adjusting his hip with his hand.

"It's sliding a little bit to the side, so I have to put it back," Kuerten said of his on-court realignment. "But to be able to play and perform like the guys, for me it's really difficult. It would be impossible.