Coria's comeback ends in defeat

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January 29, 2008 13:05 IST

Former French Open finalist Guillermo Coria's comeback from a long injury layoff ended in defeat on Monday when he was beaten by Uruguayan Pablo Cuevas 6-4, 4-6, 6-3 in the first round of the Vina del Mar International.

Argentine Coria was playing his first ATP Tour match in almost 18 months after being plagued by shoulder and back problems.

The 26-year-old won the first of his nine ATP titles in the Chilean coastal city but his hopes of enjoying another successful run was shortlived as he failed to last the distance against his little-known opponent.

Gaston Gaudio, who beat Coria in the 2004 Roland Garros final, completed a bad day for the Argentines when he was embarrassed 6-3, 6-0 by Spain's Santiago Ventura.

Gaudio, 29, is disenchanted with his game and could retire if he fails to find enjoyment again in tennis, hinting that his home tournament in Buenos Aires next month could be make or break.

"I'm going to play Buenos Aires. I want to have a bit of fun at least, because I'm not having a good time," Gaudio said last week.

"It's not about winning or losing but today, playing like this, I'm not even enjoying it," he told Argentine radio station La Red.

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