Kuerten injury gives Rafter win

It was Patrick Rafter's first title of the year

Australian Pat Rafter won the RCA Championships final in Indianapolis after Gustavo Kuerten had to retire with a rib injury.

Top seed Kuerten lasted just 22 minutes before conceding defeat at 2-4 in the first set.

The Brazilian had played his semi-final against Goran Ivanisevic earlier in the day after rain had prevented their match from taking place on Saturday.

Kuerten eventually beat the Croat in three sets but had to go back on court just an hour later for the final.

He had received treatment between the matches for the injury.

Kuerten said he was not sure of the exact nature of his ailment but that it had hampered his service action and his forehand.

He thought he had incurred the injury while warming up for the Ivanisevic match.

It was fifth seed Rafter's first title of the year and came on the back of three consecutive final defeats.