Gonzalez eases into Indianapolis third round

INDIANAPOLIS, July 19 (Reuters) Third seed Fernando Gonzalez began his hardcourt season with a 6-3 6-4 victory over unheralded American Sam Querrey at the Indianapolis RCA Championships.

The Chilean yesterday faced little opposition from the 200th-ranked Querrey, winner of two Challenger events in the past month.

The 16th-ranked Gonzalez improved his 2006 record to 24-13 as he became the first man into the third round after byes for all 16 seeds.

The South American needed just 67 minutes to end the challenge of the 18-year-old.

Gonzalez broke twice while saving three chances against his own serve in steaming temperatures and humidity on the cement.

Korea's Lee Hyung-taik dispatched Newport winner Mark Philippoussis 6-4 7-6 in the first round.

Philippoussis's Australian compatriot, qualifier Wayne Arthurs, fared better as he beat Israeli Harel Levy 6-3 7-5. Philippoussis, who won his first title since 2003 at the weekend on grass, was unable to adjust to the change of surface.

''I was struggling in the conditions, but I felt okay,'' he told reporters. ''I'm a little disappointed but it was a good chance to get more practise and get match-tough.'' Robby Ginepri was opening his title defence against Alejandro Falla of Colombia while Andy Roddick faced another South American in Paraguay's Ramon Delgado.

Reuters DKS GC0439