Heineken Open
Gustavo Kuerten warmed up for the Australian Open with a straight sets victory over Dominik Hrbaty in the final of the Heineken Open in Auckland.
The former world number one, who won just one title last season in an injury-ravaged campaign, beat the Slovakian 6-3 7-5.
It was the 19th career title for the Brazilian, a three-time French Open champion.
Kuerten, now ranked 37 in the world, broke Hrbaty's serve in the seventh game of the first set to lead 4-3 and again in the ninth to take the opener.
Hrbaty saved a break point in the second game of the second set which went with serve until Kuerten broke to take the set and match in the 12th game.
It was the perfect confidence boost for Kuerten, who is seeded 30 in Melbourne, where he will play Hicham Arazi of Morocco in the first round.
A possible third round meeting with current world number one Lleyton Hewitt looms in the fourth round.
Hrbaty, who was attempting to win the Auckland title for the second time since 2001, will play Belgian Xavier Malisse of Belgium in the first round in Melbourne.