González debuts with a win at exhibition tournament in Melbourne

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SANTIAGO.- The game wasn't against the expected rival, as Argentine David Nalbandian suffered a last-minute back injury that may also keep him from playing at the Australian Open. In any case, Fernando González (no. 7 in the ATP) fought hard to debut with a victory at the Kooyong Classic, an exhibition tournament that has just kicked off in Melbourne.

Chile's top player triumphed over local player Brydan Klein (no. 618) who just turned 18 on December 31st and was the youth division champion of the first Grand Slam of the season. González defeated Klein in two sets, 7-6 (3) and 6-4, and will not play again until Thursday.

In his first match of the year, González is off to a good start much like his performance in 2007. Last season, however, he began with a defeat against Czech player Radek Stepanek.

Other outcomes of the inaugural day of the tournament included Cyprian Marco Baghdatis' win over Russian player Nikolay Davydenko by 6-4, 4-6, 6-1; American player Andy Roddick's victory over Croatian player Ivan Ljubicic by 6-3 and 6-0, as well as Russian player Marat Safin's defeat against British player Andy Murray by 6-1 and 6-4.