Brazil adds former No. 1 Kuerten as reserve for Davis Cup

SAO PAULO, Brazil -- Three-time French Open winner Gustavo "Guga" Kuerten will be a reserve on Brazil's Davis Cup squad that will face Austria in the Davis Cup World Group playoffs next month.

The winner of the Sept. 21-23 tie in Innsbruck will advance to the World Group.

Kuerten, ranked 661st by the ATP, has a 2-7 singles record this season, his first playing regularly on tour since hip surgery in September 2004.

"Guga's presence is always important," Brazil captain Francisco Costa said Tuesday.

Costa, a former player who took over the squad in February, selected Flavio Saretta, Ricardo Mello, Andre Sa and Marcelo Melo for the tie against Austria, the Brazilian tennis confederation said.

The 30-year-old Kuerten, ranked No. 1 in 2000, won the last of his 20 titles in February 2004. He won the French Open in 1997, 2000 and 2001.

Brazil is trying to return to the World Group for the first time since 2003.