Former Australian Open finalist Fernando Gonzalez took four sets to overcome Belgium’s Olivier Rochus 6-3 6-4 3-6 6-1, advancing to the second round in a rain-interrupted match on Monday.
The 2007 Melbourne Park runner-up opened the match with an ace, and showed ominous signs in the early stages, sending down four winners in his opening service game to the delight of the raucous Chilean fans in a packed Show Court 2.
The 29-year-old put pressure on the Rochus serve at 2-3 in the first set, running around his backhand and sending a sizzling forehand winner down the line to open up two break point opportunities.
Rochus did not give up without a fight, stretching Gonzalez with a penetrating forehand and aggressive net play to save three break points.
Gonzalez prevailed on his fourth break opportunity, but Rochus immediately broke back to get the contest back on serve.
It was Gonzalez’s lethal forehand and athleticism that saw him break again for 5-3, and from there, he easily served out the set.
Gonzalez took the second set 6-4 as Rochus has no answer for the Chileans’ ability to hit winners under pressure and punish any loose serves with his brutal forehand. Gonzalez broke Rochus early and held his advantage for the remainder of the set.
The two players traded breaks of serve in the opening games of the third set, but it was Rochus who broke again in Gonzalez’s third service game to lead 4-2, with the error count beginning to mount for the 11th seed.
The Belgian had the chance to take the third set, bringing up two set points at 5-2, but Gonzalez served up two aces and a forehand winner to force Rochus to serve out the set.
It took five set points for Rochus to finally claim the set 6-3.
In the fourth set, Gonzalez was again the aggressor, breaking Rochus twice before a rain delay stopped proceedings. After the resumption of play, Gonzalez quickly wrapped up the set, and advanced to play the winner of today’s match between French veteran Sebastien Grosjean and Marsel Ilhan of Turkey.
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