Paris, June 03: Gustavo Kuerten, three French Open crowns to his name, said he was unable to find his usual samba rhythm yesterday as he bowed out in the fourth round to Spanish star in the making Tommy Robredo. "Guga" set Roland Garros alight when he arrived here as a 20-year-old ranked 66 in the world and promptly beat Spanish two-time champion Sergi Bruguera before adding further titles in 2000 and 2001.

Never before had the swish Roland Garros complex been invaded by hordes of flag-waving, soccer-shirted Brazilian fans, many of whom drummed out a furious samba beat long after their hero had disappeared into the night, having earlier sprayed champagne onto several from a first floor window.

But this time he found Robredo more than a match as Kuerten's legs, now bearing the tell-tale scars of six years of tough battles and his hips, operated on last year, failed to last the pace in a 6-4 1-6 7-6 (7/2) 6-4 win for the Spaniard.

"I should have imposed myself more on the match in that first set," said Kuerten, who began solidly before throwing the set away.

His second set renaissance was all too brief against a player who was cock a hoop after knocking out top seed Lleyton Hewitt in the previous round.

Bureau Report