South American Renaissance

Gustavo Kuerten was not expected to win the 1997 French Open, but he went through accomplished champions and clay court powers in the process.  Kuerten beat fifth seeded and 1995 French Open champion Thomas Muster in the round of 32.  He beat Andrei Medvedev in the round of 16.  He beat defending champion and third seed Yevgeny Kafelnikov in the quarterfinal round.  These three impressive victories were all five set matches.  Kuerten proved his mettle in that three match stretch.  Kuerten then defeated two-time French Open champion Sergi Bruguera in three routine sets to win his first major title.

Guga won with big shotmaking skills that were still raw and a positive fighting spirit that was only extinguished by injuries later in his career. I recall watching Guga in 1997 and liking him but wondering how a player as thin as a rail was hitting such well…