PARIS, May 21 (AFP) - The flowing locks have been trimmed, the bandana and the 'Brazil' shirt now spend a little more time in the wardrobe. But Gustavo Kuerten's sunny demeanour has returned after wins in Monte Carlo and Rome and he is now plotting a new assault on the red clay of Roland Garros. Two years ago the affable South American arrived at the French Open as a virtual unknown, ranked just 66 in the world - and promptly carried off the title in an extraordinary tournament which culminated in a straight sets final win over two-time champion Sergi Bruguera of Spain. Kuerten's easy-going manner and ready smile won him legions of fans, who followed him round the Roland Garros complex, beating drums and chanting 'Guga'. Last year, his status as defending champion didn't last long as he fell at the second hurdle to Russian rising star Marat Safin in a classic five-setter, although Kuerten did add tournament wins in Stuttgart and Majorca to his titles collection. But this year threatens to be the crowd pleaser's best yet with the Brazilian having struck a rich vein of form in recent weeks, save for a quarter-final hammering in Hamburg at the hands of defending French Open champ Carlos Moya. Within days he had bounced back to take the Italian Open with a win over Australia's Pat Rafter, having knocked out world number one Yevgeny Kafelnikov on the way. That title, added to another in Monte Carlo after Marcelo Rios retired through injury, have taken Kuerten up to eighth in the world rankings and convinced him he can once again be king of Roland Garros. Moya endorsed that view last month when he described Kuerten as "the strongest clay court player right now." The Brazilian, who hails from the southern city of Florianapolis, says he feels his attitude to the game and life in general has matured in recent months after a difficult period last year which followed a Davis Cup defeat on home ground to Spain. "That hurt badly. I wanted to do too well and put myself under pressure. For once, I wasn't playing for the pleasure of playing but playing to win - and it made me nervous," he said But Kuerten took revenge in style this year, winning all his matches as Brazil saw off the Spaniards - in Spain. The 23-year-old, who undertakes regular charity work back in Brazil and who has a mentally handicapped brother, says he is all the stronger for having finally digested his 1997 triumph, which was his first ever singles title. And he has vowed not to let his celebrity status affect him. "You know the most important thing for me is just to be happy - that's the only way I can play tennis. I'm not interested in bring a celebrity. "I think I'm in the best form of my whole career. I've become much more mature in the past two years. And my family always ensure I keep my feet firmly on the ground!" Kuerten has an added incentive to go all the way again this year because he retains unhappy memories of the last time he had a final date in France. That was at the Stade de France where his beloved Brazil were eclipsed by France in last July's World Cup final. Having become a national hero back home, Kuerten is aware his country's pride, which suffered such a dent on that occasion, is at stake. And he has resolved to restore it.  