Kuerten slumps to humbling defeat
 |  Kuerten failed to reproduce the form of his first round victory in Valencia |
| |
VALENCIA, Spain -- Former world number one Gustavo Kuerten was shown just how far he has to go to recapture his form when he was dealt a humbling defeat in Valencia.
The Brazilian slumped 6-2 6-0 to Spain's Alberto Martin in the second round of the competition.
Kuerten had made a promising start on his return after a seven-month injury lay-off when he brushed aside fourth-seeded Belgian Olivier Rochus in the first round.
Kuerten, who was sidelined after undergoing surgery on his right hip last September, will continue his comeback at the Monte Carlo Masters, Rome and Hamburg events.
The three-time French Open champion joins other high-profile players who have gone out in the early rounds at the claycourt tournament.
Top seed Nikolay Davydenko fell victim to 2002 French Open champion Albert Costa and Juan Carlos Ferrero was blown away by fellow Spaniard Rafael Nadal in first round matches.
Third seed Nadal, widely tipped as a possible champion at Roland Garros this year, continued his awesome form in a 6-1 6-4 win over Guillermo Garica-Lopez.
The 18-year-old from Mallorca, who threw away a two sets and 4-1 lead over world number one Roger Federer in the final of the Miami Masters last weekend, wrapped up the first set in 44 minutes.
In the second, Nadal broke Garcia-Lopez's serve in the first game and held on to win 6-4.
Nadal now has his sights set on a third title of the season after winning the clay court titles in Costa du Sauipe and Acapulco and is now 12-1 on clay this year.
He now faces Russia's Igor Andreev for a place in the semi-finals. Reaching the last four would move him up to third spot in the Champions Race behind Federer and Lleyton Hewitt.
"I played well, my legs felt better today. I thought the first set was actually harder than the second but I feel good because I never had any problems when I was serving." Nadal said.
"I'm happy to be in the quarter-finals. It is not easy after coming from Miami. Whatever I do from now is a good win. There are some points at stake.
"Andreev has improved a lot lately. He beat Ferrero in Roland Garros last year. I'm going to have to be very focused to win," he added.
