Kuerten wins first match at Brasil Open

COSTA DO SAUIPE, Brazil, Feb. 13 (UPI) -- Brazil's Gustavo Kuerten scored an easy first-round win over Italy's Filipppo Volandri Tuesday at the Brasil Open tennis tournament.

The popular hometown hero tallied 13 aces as he topped Volandri 6-3, 6-1 and continued a comeback from a bad hip that has slowed him considerably in recent years.

The win came in Kuerten's first appearance of the season. He won the Brasil Open twice and has three French Open titles to his name.

Also advancing Tuesday was second-seed Agustin Calleri, who beat fellow Argentine Diego Hartfield 6-4, 6-1.