Country Wide Classic July 16 - 22, 2007 - Day 2
By Matt Osias
Fleishman Eliminates No. 1 Seed Gonzalez, Blake Advances
Los Angeles – In just his second match ever against a world’s top-10 player, Southern California native Zach Fleishman rocked the top-seeded Fernando Gonzalez in straight sets 7-6(5), 6-4 in the first round of the Countrywide Classic. In the earlier evening match, the second-seeded American James Blake overpowered Austrian Alexander Peya 7-5, 6-4.
Fleishman, who was a member of the Bruin tennis team for a year before turning pro in 2000, kept pace with Gonzalez to send the first set to a tie-break, managing to outlast the Chilean and win the first set. In the second set and tied at 1-1, Fleishman grabbed the early break to go up 2-1.
With the second-set score still in Fleishman’s favor, Gonzo made a call for the trainer for an unspecified back problem. Although after returning to the court he held serve, Fleishman remained composed, winning the final game at love to advance past the No. 6 player in the world.
“This is the best win of my career,” Fleishman said. “To do it in front of my friends and family…it just feels so good. I had the best time of my life today.”
With the No. 1 seeded player losing in the first round, the top-half of the draw just became up for grabs, and Fleishman has proved to be one to watch.
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“I just have to play as well as I can,” Fleishman said. “I’m 27 years old and I feel like I am just starting to peak.”
The victory was the American’s first against a top-10 player in the world. Fleishman will face fellow American Robert Kendrick in the second round.
Zach Fleishman – USA
James Blake – USA
Fleishman Eliminates No. 1 Seed Gonzalez, Blake Advances
Los Angeles – In just his second match ever against a world’s top-10 player, Southern California native Zach Fleishman rocked the top-seeded Fernando Gonzalez in straight sets 7-6(5), 6-4 in the first round of the Countrywide Classic. In the earlier evening match, the second-seeded American James Blake overpowered Austrian Alexander Peya 7-5, 6-4.
Fleishman, who was a member of the Bruin tennis team for a year before turning pro in 2000, kept pace with Gonzalez to send the first set to a tie-break, managing to outlast the Chilean and win the first set. In the second set and tied at 1-1, Fleishman grabbed the early break to go up 2-1.
With the second-set score still in Fleishman’s favor, Gonzo made a call for the trainer for an unspecified back problem. Although after returning to the court he held serve, Fleishman remained composed, winning the final game at love to advance past the No. 6 player in the world.
“This is the best win of my career,” Fleishman said. “To do it in front of my friends and family…it just feels so good. I had the best time of my life today.”
With the No. 1 seeded player losing in the first round, the top-half of the draw just became up for grabs, and Fleishman has proved to be one to watch.
.
“I just have to play as well as I can,” Fleishman said. “I’m 27 years old and I feel like I am just starting to peak.”
The victory was the American’s first against a top-10 player in the world. Fleishman will face fellow American Robert Kendrick in the second round.
