PARIS, June 9: It was a strange French Open from the beginning, but the biggest surprise came last.

Two weeks ago, Gustavo Kuerten was an unknown 66th-ranked player who had never won a Tour event. In fact, he had never made it further than the quarters.

But the 20-year-old Brazilian beat three former champions on his way to becoming the lowest ranked player ever to win the French Open.

In new ATP Tour rankings, Kuerten will break into the top 20.

Yesterday's straight-set dismantling of two-time champion Sergi Bruguera, 6-3, 6-4, 6-2, was only Kuerten's 49th career match.

Copyright © 1997 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.