Guga claims first win in a year in Santa Catarina Challenger

BRASILIA, April 15 (Xinhua) -- After nearly one year without a victory,Gustavo Kuerten won his opener of his farewell tour on Tuesday night at the Santa Catarina Open.

Guga beat Columbian Carlos Salamanca 6-4, 6-4 in the men's singles first round of the ATP tournament in Miami.

"The strategy of my game depends on how I am feeling physically. My condition is lower nowadays," said Kuerten after Tuesday's win.

It was his first victory since February 2007 in Las Vegas where he beat South African Wesley Moddie in straight sets.

Tuesday's game was crowded with fans, friends and family members to see Guga's game. Fans that were unable to enter the stadium crowded the gates from the outside in hopes of seeing him play.

Salamanca seemed nervous throughout the game while Guga began to feel sharp pains in his quadriceps during the second set.

However, Guga persevered and used multiple service breaks to win sets, before he went on to set up a second round face off against compatriot Franco Ferreiro, 23, currently ranked No. 213 in the world.