Gonzalez Tops Fellow Alternate Puerta
Gonzalez won in his first TMC match. By Bill Scott
Fernando Gonzalez stepped into the breach as the first Chilean to play at the Tennis Masters Cup since Marcelo Rios in 1998, winning his debut match as a substitute 63, 46, 60 over Argentine Mariano Puerta Wednesday.
With the Monday evening injury pullout of Andre Agassi due to a sprained ankle, Gonzalez was ready to take up the mantle at the eight-man season wrapup tournament at the Qi Zhong tennis stadium.
The Chilean administered a defeat to Roland Garros runner-up Puerta in the first career meeting between the South American pair.
The loss was the second here for Puerta, also a substitute.
The left-handed Argentine made his Tennis Masters Cup 2005 debut as an alternate (for fellow lefty Rafael Nadal) on Monday and lost to countryman Gaston Gaudio 63 75.
Gonzalez controlled the opening set but found himself on the back foot as Puerta roared back in the second to level.
But the Chilean, who won an indoor title last month in Basel, took the match by the neck in the third, sweeping through to complete his win in just over 90 minutes.
Nine aces helped him on his way, with Gonzalez also producing 48 winners and just 18 unforced errors. He broke Puerta four times.
Exclusive Audio | Press Transcripts
Tuesday: Federer Pushed to Limit by Ljubicic
Monday: Davydenko Defeats Injured Agassi
Sunday: Federer Wins Masters Cup Opener
|
