LAS VEGAS, Nevada, March 4, 2008 - Fernando Gonzalez, who was sidelined for a month with an abdominal injury, defeated Israel's Dudi Sela 6-2, 7-6 (7/2) in the opening round of the ATP Las Vegas event on Tuesday. The 27-year-old Chilean is seeking his ninth career title and second win of the season. Gonzalez has been sidelined with an abdominal injury since winning in Vina del Mar last month. The world No. 13, Gonzalez had lost to Sela in their only previous meeting last September in Davis Cup action. Gonzalez made four aces and capitalized on six double faults as he advanced to the second round of the hardcourt tournament for a matchup with Russian Evgeny Korolev, who defeated Sergio Roitman of Argentina 6-4, 4-6, 6-3 on Monday. No. 6 Michael Llodra was the only seeded player not to survive the first round. The Frenchman suffered a 6-2, 7-6 (7/2) loss Tuesday to qualifier Kevin Anderson of South Africa. Anderson, who meet wild card John Isner in the second round, fired 10 aces en route to victory. The 27-year-old Llodra was enjoying a successful start to his campaign, winning two titles and posting a 14-3 record before the setback. In other seeded action Tuesday, No. 5 Peter Starace of Italy had three aces without a double fault en route to a 7-6 (7/5), 6-0 triumph over Argentine Carlos Berlocq. Starace next will face qualifer Amer Delic, who ousted Austrian Jurgen Melzer with a 7-5, 7-6 (7-2) victory Tuesday. The only seeded player yet to play is No. 3 Marcos Baghdatis of Cyprus, who will square off against Vincent Spadea. Baghdatis and Spadea, who have not squared off since 2006, have split their first two career meetings.
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