Gonzales yields to Venus in marathon duel

LAPU LAPU CITY, Cebu , Philippines   â€“ Fil-Am Ruben Gonzales blew a matchpoint and a 4-2 lead in the fourth set tiebreaker, enabling Michael Venus to steal a 4-6, 6-3, 4-6, 7-6 (4) 6-0 victory and New Zealand to seize a 1-0 lead in their Asia-Oceania Zone Davis Cup Group II promotional tie at the Plantation Bay Resorts and Spa here last night.

The 28-year-old Gonzales, who has beaten Venus twice in their head-to-head duel, appeared in control after taking a 2-1 set lead and moving one point away from wrapping up the first singles match at 5-4 in the fourth set.

But the former Illinois standout squandered his chances as Venus took the next five points to force a fifth set.

Gonzales never recovered from that sorry setback and was completely outplayed by Venus in the decider to the disappointment of the big hometown crowd.

So dejected was Gonzales that he declined interviews after the match.

“He was disappointed, his energy was zapped after the fourth set tiebreaker,” said Phl’s non-playing team captain Roland Kraut of Gonzales.

At presstime, Johnny Arcilla, the host country’s No. 2 player, is playing Jose Statham, New Zealand’s top netter.

Fil-Am Treat Conrad Huey, currently ranked 28th in the world after a breakthrough quarterfinal effort in the US Open where he partnered with Briton Dominic Inglot, will pair with Francis Casey Alcantara against Artem Sitak and Marcus Daniell in today’s doubles.

Gonzales pressed his bid in the fourth set but blew a matchpoint when he led, 5-4, and 40-30 in the 10th game of the fourth set as Venus came through with a blazing forehand, a short backhand return to gain advantage before finishing it off with a service winner to tie it at 5-5.

The two held serves to forge a tiebreaker with Venus rallying from a 2-4 deficit by racking up five straight points, including a couple of big serves that Gonzales failed to return.

Gonzales took charge early, breaking Venus in the third game of the opening set to take a 3-2 advantage. He made it a 4-2 lead after holding serve and after Venus held his own in the next game, the Filipino needed three deuces to hold and keep a 5-3 lead.

Gonzales had two chances to wrap it up in the ninth game but ended up squandering both, enabling Venus to close the gap at 5-4. But Gonzales uncorked forehand winners to win the next game and go 1-0.

Venus, however, bounced back in the second set, holding serve thrice in the first five games before breaking his rival in the sixth to grab a 4-2 edge en route to draw level at one set apiece.

Venus sustained his momentum in the third as Gonzales started to slow down with a right hamstring, enabling the Kiwi to take a 2-0 lead in the pivotal third.

But Gonzales struck back with aces and held serve on the third, fifth and seventh games then broke Venus on the fourth with a big forehand to turn things around and gain a 4-3 edge.

The Filipinos’ Davis Cup campaign is backed by Cebuana Lhuillier owner and team manager Jean Henri Lhuillier with support from Smart, Yonex, Cebuana Lhuillier, Lapu Lapu City Mayor Paz Radaza, Jober Electronics, Plantation Bay vice president Belarmino and Phl Sports Commission.