ARAG WORLD TEAM CUP

Fernando Gonzalez and Nicolas Massu thrilled the throngs of Chilean supporters who turned out for the opening Round Robin tie as they defeated the USA, 2-1, Monday at the Duesseldorf Rochusclub.

In the top-billed battle between the tournament's two highest-ranked players, World No. 5 Fernando Gonzalez once against got the best of a frustrated James Blake, the World No. 8, in the day's first match on Center Court I.

While Blake held his own against the Chilean at the beginning of each set, Gonzalez fired up his play by breaking the American in the penultimate games of both the first and second set and succeeded in holding serve to establish the lead for Chile. He closed his fifth straight win over Blake with an ace on his second serve, 6-4, 7-5.

"The match was closer than you would suspect seeing the playing time, and the court was faster than I had thought," said Gonzalez. "I am quite happy with my game, particularly with my good timing. Another important fact was that I didn't have to play too long and thus could save strength for the upcoming matches."

Said Blake: "This match wasn't any fun, it was even frustrating. Though I had my opportunities, I couldn't take them. It is no consolation to me that I lost to one of the best clay court players in the world... I am hoping to play another three matches here in preparation for the French Open."

Massu followed his compatriot with another straight-sets victory, upending Mardy Fish 6-4, 7-6(1). Fish saved 11 of 14 break opportunities earned by the Chilean and came close to pushing the match to a decisive set with a late break of serve in the second, but could not pull off the comeback.

With the tie already decided, the No. 1 doubles tandem of Bob and Mike Bryan closed the gap in the final score as they easily defeated Jorge Aguilar and Julio Peralta 6-1, 6-2 in 39 minutes.

Chile, winners of back-to-back Championships in 2003-04, improved its record over the U.S. at the ARAG ATP World Team Championship to a perfect 3-0, including a 2-1 victory at last year's event.

The U.S. has not won a tie since defeating the Netherlands 2-1 in 2004.