General / Editor / 12 March 2007 /

Three-time former French Open champion Gustavo Kuerten was beaten in the first round of the Indian Wells Masters Series by an unseeded teenager.

The Brazilian, who was the runner-up in 2003 but who has struggled with a hip injury over the last couple of seasons, lost 7-6 (7-5) 6-2 to 18-year-old Juan Martin del Potro.

Martin del Potro broke Kuerten at 5-4 to level the first set and eventually won nine of the last 11 games of the match to claim a 7-5, 6-2 victory over the former Indian wells finalist.

Kuerten paid tribute to the emerging talent of the tall Argentinian and predicted big things ahead for him.
He said: "I think he's a good player. Probably this year, he will finish around top 50 or better."

In the all-American feature night match, Robby Ginepri withstood a late charge from Robert Kendrick to win 7-5, 7-6(3). Ginepri was broken to love when he served for the match at 5-3, and after Kendrick held to love in the next game, Kendrick went 0/30 up on the Ginepri serve, but ultimately was unable to secure the break.

The 32 seeded players in the men's draw all received first-round byes so none were in action on Friday.
World number one Roger Federer is the 1.4 Betfair favourite to clinch the title with Rafael Nadal (17) and Andy Murray (22) next best of the contenders.

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