Chile's Gonzalez stuns Blake in Davis Cup

RANCHO MIRAGE, Apr 8 (Reuters) Chile's Fernando Gonzalez recovered from two sets down to stun American James Blake 6-7 0-6 7-6 6-4 10-8 in the opening rubber of their Davis Cup quarter-final.

The 25-year-old Gonzalez yesterday staged an extraordinary comeback from 3-5 down in the third set as he seized control of the match from Blake, whipping over huge forehands and looking comfortable around the net on the dry grass court.

The pair played out a tremendous fifth set with Blake squandering a 4-1 lead and Gonzalez then failing to serve out the match at 6-5 when Blake came up with a forehand winner.

The Chilean got into a series of arguments with the chair umpire over questionable over-rules but held his nerve and won the gripping four-hour, 19-minute contest on his second match point when he crushed an ace down the middle.

Reuters OM VP0520