By
Tom A. McFerson,
Special to TennisReporters.net
Cynthia Lum/WireImage.com
Fernando Gonzalez peaked in the finals of the '07 Aussie Open.
FROM THE COUNTRYWIDE CLASSIC IN LOS ANGELES
– Looks of disbelief, anger, fear, amazement, and rage all flashed
across the face of Fernando Gonzalez in his ugly loss to journeyman qualifier
Zack Fleishman 7-6(5), 6-4 at the Countrywide Classic at UCLA.
With Gonzalez defending a significant amount of points this summer and
fall (last year he reached the finals in Madrid, Basel and Vienna, and
the semifinals in Cincinnati and Toronto), his game’s current
state
– and his ranking – has to be of concern.
Perhaps more interesting Tuesday evening were the looks and glares given
to coach Larry Stefanki, sitting courtside – glares that hint at
a growing discord over the strategic road both are now traveling.
One of the most appealing things about Gonzalez was his willingness to
rip forehands and backhands from any place on the court at any stage
of the match. You get the impression that the Chilean was oblivious
to the score. He seemingly played match point like he played the first
point. This may have not always been the smartest way to play strategically,
but it made for some exciting and dangerous tennis.
In 2006 when he beat Andre Agassi in a tough three-setter here,
Gonzalez amazed the crowd with his shot-making, pulling off impossible
winners on key points late in the third set. And even though Gonzalez
bounced crowd favorite Agassi in his last appearance here, the
fans clearly appreciated what they had witnessed: raw power and talent
at its best.
But, despite the power and talent, Gonzalez’s results were
erratic. Bad losses accumulated. Stefanki was brought in to help rein
the Chilean in.
HIGH POINT WAS DOWN UNDER AT AUSSIE OPEN The goal was to teach Gonzalez how to pick his moments,
to develop an all-court game, and to give the Chilean a few more options.
All reasonable goals and ones that he attained when storming to the Australian
Open final in January. But the coach may have thrown so much at his player
that the waters have become hopelessly muddied.
Since his run Down Under, Gonzo has only shown up once in a big
way –
at the Italian Open. He flamed out at Roland Garros and Wimbledon and
now seems to be confused as to what to do. Stefanki has encouraged the
Chilean to keep his body steady on his slice backhand, to serve and volley
and chip and charge a bit more. The San Diego-based coach has said that
he’ll never touch Gonzo’s lethal forehand, but Gonzalez
appears to be rolling it a bit more.
Against Fleishman – a player he should be able to handle –
the Chilean was absolutely lost. Gonzalez looked nervous and scared. His
game was passive, and he let Fleishman dictate play. Gonzalez chipped
his backhand most of the night, allowing Fleishman to take advantage time
after time. And then, when the match was almost over, and it was obvious
Gonzalez had to try something different or pack his bags, he reached for
his power game and – surprise! – it wasn’t there.
