Andy Roddick vs. Fernando Gonzalez

Gonzalez survives in five

World No.11 Fernando Gonzalez came back from the brink to advance into the fourth round of Australian Open 2010, ousting Evgeny Korolev of Kazakhstan in five sets on Friday.

Gonzalez, the 2007 finalist, needed three hours and 22 minutes to claim the 6-7(5) 6-3 1-6 6-3 6-4 victory over the 53rd-ranked Korolev in front of a boisterous Show Court 2 crowd.

The in-form Chilean came out firing in the opening set, gaining an early break to jump to a 3-1 lead. But Korolev, who upset 21st seed Tomas Berdych in the second round, quickly responded, bouncing back to level the set 3-3.

After exchanging breaks of serve, Gonzalez set up a break point at 5-5 with an impressive backhand winner down the line, but failed to capitalise as Korolev managed to hold. The set was forced to a tie-breaker, which went in favour of Korolev in just under an hour.

Gonzalez took his game up a notch in the second set, unleashing his signature forehand and producing some sneaky drop shots. In the fourth game, the 29-year-old became frustrated with a line call, but once he composed himself, he was gifted with a break after Korolev hit the ball long. Gonzalez closed out the set 6-3 with an ace.

After leveling the match one set apiece, Gonzalez’s momentum stalled in the third as Korolev snatched an early break and dashed to a 3-0 lead. Korolev, the first Kazakh man to reach the third round of a Grand Slam, breezed through the set, breaking Gonzalez twice and sealing the set with an ace in 32 minutes.

Down two sets to one, Gonzalez stepped up in the fourth, re-gathering the energy that he lost in the previous set in strolling to a 4-1 lead. He ended the set with an ace, setting up a decider.

A fiery Gonzalez now looked in control. With a vocal group of Chilean fans supporting him, Gonzalez gained a crucial break early in the deciding set to get ahead 3-1. Korolev fought with the 11th seed all the way as both players continued to deliver spectacular winners from across the court, but the Chilean proved too strong, serving out the set 6-4 in 45 minutes.

In an evenly matched encounter, Gonzalez hit a 63 winners, just one more than his younger opponent.

Gonzalez will now meet big-serving American Andy Roddick in the fourth round. The American also bounced back from a set down against Feliciano Lopez of Spain on Friday, winning 6-7(4) 6-4 6-4 7-6(3).

Current Match on Show Court 2 Show Court 2 - Men's Singles - 3rd Round Evgeny Korolev KAZ 77 3 6 3 4 Fernando Gonzalez CHI (11) 65 6 1 6 6 Match Statistics Serve Statistics

Gonzalez through in powerful display

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.

Photos: Gonzalez wins in Vina Del Mar

Fernando Gonzalez handily defeated Jose Acasuso 6-1, 6-3 in Vina del Mar City to take the Movistar Open title.

You can find more photos of Gonzalez celebrating with his trophy below this post.

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... via Reuters pictures.

Photos: Gonzalez wins in Vina Del Mar

Fernando Gonzalez handily defeated Jose Acasuso 6-1, 6-3 in Vina del Mar City to take the Movistar Open title.

You can find more photos of Gonzalez celebrating with his trophy below this post.