Spadea scores rare ‘double blob’ in NZ Open
AUCKLAND: A delighted Vince Spadea achieved a tennis rarity in the first round of the New Zealand Open ATP tournament here yesterday when he embarrassed Spaniard David Sanchez 6-0, 6-0.
In the first “double blob” on the circuit in 10 months, the tournament fourth seed whizzed through the match in 44 minutes, allowing Sanchez a mere 17 points.
“I'm happy I've achieved that,” the American said.
“It's something to be proud of because there's so many days in our lives when very little goes our way. This is a day to be happy.”
The last love-love match on the ATP circuit was achieved by Frenchman Gregory Carraz in beating player Omar Bahrouzyan in Dubai last March.
The only other seed in action on the first day of the Open was hard hitting No 5 Fernando Gonzalez who eliminated American wildcard James Blake 7-6 (7-4), 6-1 to advance to the last 16.
The Chilean has had a year to savour, winning the singles bronze and doubles gold medal with compatriot Nicolas Massu at the Athens Olympics last August.
It was Chile's first Olympic gold and when they returned home “the country stopped”, Gonzalez said.
His win over Blake was a mix. The first set was even, with a string of high-class rallies and superb winners – Blake gliding around the court and Gonzalez all crash and bash.
Blake received a marginal call which would have given him a set point but Gonzalez prevailed in the tiebreak and then ran away with the second set. – AFP
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