Tennis: Kuerten battles back for victory

World number one Gustavo Kuerten became tennis’s great escapologist early this morning to scrape through an extraordinary US Open third round match with Max Mirnyi.

The flamboyant Brazilian was two sets down and struggling in the face of a Mirnyi fusillade of huge serves when, with his mum screaming encouragement from the stands, he launched a thrilling comeback which captivated a packed Arthur Ashe stadium to triumph 6-7 5-7 7-6 7-6 6-2.