Olympic champion Massu finally wins in Vienna Trophy
(Agencies)
Updated: 2004-10-13 10:21

Double Olympic champion Nicolas Massu battled for nearly three hours before overcoming Slovak qualifier Karol Kucera 6-4 6-7 6-4 on Tuesday to claim his first victory in four attempts at the Vienna Trophy.

The second seed from Chile appeared to be heading for an easy first-round victory but let slip a 4-1 lead in the second set before finally prevailing in the third.

Olympic champion Nicolas Massu of Chile, seen here in September 2004, overcame his Vienna jinx by winning a qualifier in the first round of the 682,750-euro ATP tournament in Vienna. [AFP]

Kucera proved to be a stubborn opponent as he frustrated Massu by saving numerous break points and three set points in the opening set. A break in the 10th game gave Massu the breakthrough to clinch the set.

Massu broke to lead 3-1 in the second but failed to hold on to the advantage and dropped his serve in the sixth game when he netted a forehand.

Kucera, refusing to be out-rallied and striking several stunning winners down the line, also placed pressure on Massu with 12 aces.

The outcome was decided by a single break in the final set, when Kucera put a backhand wide to give the Chilean a 3-2 lead.

"When I saw the draw I knew it was going to be a really difficult match," said Massu.

"He's a great player but I tried to play my best tennis and I think I played a real good match today."

Despite gaining in confidence since winning both the singles and doubles titles at the Athens Games, Massu said he needs to put his Olympic success behind him and concentrate on the task ahead.

"It was a great feeling to arrive in Chile. All the people were so happy but that's the past," he said.

"I have to take care about my tournaments now. I'm going to remember the Olympics for all my life but I have to think about the second round here and the next tournament.

"I want to finish in the top 10 this year."

Top seed David Nalbandian of Argentina defeated Italian qualifier Andreas Seppi 6-4 6-3, while Tommy Haas dismissed South African qualifier Wesley Moodie 6-3 6-0.

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