Gonzo, Nalbandian Win at ATP Basel
Posted on October 26, 2006A pair of lucky losers weren't so lucky Wednesday in Basel. Third-seeded Fernando Gonzalez remained red hot following a a 7-6(3), 6-7(2), 7-6(3) win over Italian lucky loser Simone Bolelli in the first round at Basel.
Gonzo, who reached the finals at Madrid Sunday falling to Roger Federer, has won 21 of his last 27 matches, and remains a solid contender for Shanghai.
"There are just two weeks left, so I will keep trying hard to qualify for Shanghai," said Gonzalez.
No. 2 seed David Nalbandian cruised past Croatian lucky loser Roko Karanusic 6-2, 6-4.
Also, No. 7 seed Jose Acasuso defeated Spaniard Albert Montanes 6-4, 6-3, and former champion Tim Henman converted four of nine break point opportunities in a 6-2, 6-3 win over Belgian Christophe Rochus. Henman won the Basel title in 2001 (d. Federer) and in 1998 (d. Agassi).
The 32-year-old Henman will play Stainslas Wawrinka, who beat Agustin Calleri 7-6(6), 6-2.
In other matches, Juan Ignacio Chela downed Filippo Volandri 6-4, 7-5, Feliciano Lopez beat Ruben Ramirez Hidalgo 3-6, 7-6(5), 6-1, Stan Wawrinka topped Agustin Calleri 7-6(6), 6-2, and teen Juan Martin Del Potro knocked out Tobias Clemens 3-6, 6-3, 6-2.
Gonzo, who reached the finals at Madrid Sunday falling to Roger Federer, has won 21 of his last 27 matches, and remains a solid contender for Shanghai.
"There are just two weeks left, so I will keep trying hard to qualify for Shanghai," said Gonzalez.
No. 2 seed David Nalbandian cruised past Croatian lucky loser Roko Karanusic 6-2, 6-4.
Also, No. 7 seed Jose Acasuso defeated Spaniard Albert Montanes 6-4, 6-3, and former champion Tim Henman converted four of nine break point opportunities in a 6-2, 6-3 win over Belgian Christophe Rochus. Henman won the Basel title in 2001 (d. Federer) and in 1998 (d. Agassi).
The 32-year-old Henman will play Stainslas Wawrinka, who beat Agustin Calleri 7-6(6), 6-2.
In other matches, Juan Ignacio Chela downed Filippo Volandri 6-4, 7-5, Feliciano Lopez beat Ruben Ramirez Hidalgo 3-6, 7-6(5), 6-1, Stan Wawrinka topped Agustin Calleri 7-6(6), 6-2, and teen Juan Martin Del Potro knocked out Tobias Clemens 3-6, 6-3, 6-2.