A 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.
