Ferrero rules Rome

Spain's Juan Carlos Ferrero beat world number one Gustavo Kuerten 3-6 6-1 2-6 6-4 6-2 on Sunday to secure the biggest win of his career in the final of the $2.95 million Rome Masters Series event.

Kuerten had been in imperious form on clay as he prepared to defend his French Open title at Roland Garros later this month.

But it was a rather different 'Guga' who endured three hours and five minutes of frustration at the Foro Italico against 'El Mosquito' Ferrero.

Ferrero, 21, matched the Brazilian stride for stride and, at times, error for error before the eighth seed sealed victory over the top seed.

It was far from a vintage occasion but that will trouble Ferrero little as he savours the biggest win of his three-year professional career.

Revenge was also as sweet as it was long in coming for Ferrero, who succumbed to Kuerten in five sets in last year's French Open semifinals in their only previous meeting.

While Ferrero has announced himself as an early favourite for Roland Garros, Kuerten has been given a timely reminder of the work still needed to be done before the second grand slam of the year begins in Paris on May 28.

After recording 37 wins in his preceding 38 appearances on clay and while producing some majestic tennis in the earlier rounds here in Rome, Kuerten was asked if he could maintain such form during a tiring European clay-court season.

But he heads for the Hamburg Masters Series event on Monday knowing that consistent perfection is still to be achieved.

His backhand -- a stroke which had been compared to that of former greats Donald Budge and Ken Rosewall during the week -- undermined him against Ferrero.

UNDER PRESSURE

It is now Ferrero who is under pressure to maintain his touch on the surface which became second nature during his formative years in Spain.

The victory over Kuerten was his 11th in a row and, while denying Kuerten a second successive Masters Series title, secured the Spaniard's fourth title this year.

Ferrero is not lacking confidence as he bids to win his first ever grand slam crown.

"This gives me great heart to go on and do well at Roland Garros," he said.

"I have shown myself that I can play with the best in the world on clay. We will see what happens now over the next few weeks.

"I cannot remember being 5-1 down in the first set on clay before but I told myself to keep fighting and not to worry.

"It is always difficult to beat Guga but I felt I would get chances later in the match and I knew I had to take them. Fortunately I did and to win was a great feeling."

Kuerten, twice French Open champion, had to deal with the anguish of losing in the Rome final for the second successive year.

Aside from his loss to Australian Lleyton Hewitt in the Davis Cup in April, it was his first tournament defeat on clay since falling to Swede Magnus Norman at the Foro Italico 12 months ago.

While Ferrero struggled early on, Kuerten raced to claim the first set. From then on neither could assert himself.

Kuerten took a two sets to one lead before Ferrero seized the one break point he carved out on Kuerten's serve in the fourth set to force a decider.

With Kuerten tiring -- complaining afterwards of a nagging groin strain -- Ferrero pounced to break his opponent in the first game of the fifth and victory was achieved with an ace.

Kuerten said: "I have been in that situation before and managed to come back but it did not happen for me today.

"Maybe I will have to get used to that during the rest of my career. I was not 100 percent on my game or my fitness but I am not unhappy.

"The tennis I have played this week has been a good sign. It's just that Juan Carlos played well towards the end of the match and he deserved to win."