Gonzalez wins on return to Chile

Gonzalez is now in the world's top five for the first time

Australian Open runner-up Fernando Gonzalez continued his recent good form at the Movistar Open in Vina del Mar.

The Chilean dropped just four points on his serve as he beat Thiago Alves 6-2 6-2 in his opening round-robin match in front of his home crowd.

Gonzalez, chasing his third Vina Del Mar title, only arrived in Chile on Monday after losing to Roger Federer in Melbourne on Sunday.

Compatriot Nicolas Massu also enjoyed victory at the clay-court event.

Massu beat Spaniard Gorka Fraile 6-3 6-2 to book his place in the quarter-finals.

Gonzalez, who moved up to five in the world rankings after his performance at the Australian Open, now plays Frenchman Olivier Patience for a place in the quarter-finals.

It's a bit difficult to be playing on clay again Fernando Gonzalez

"I wait the entire year to play here in front of my crowd but that first match wasn't easy," said Gonzalez.

"It's a bit difficult to be playing on clay again. I'm not used to it. I haven't played on clay since Roland Garros (last June)."

Spain's Albert Montanez beat Brazil's Gustavo Kuerten in straight sets to knock out the former French Open winner.

Kuerten's 6-1 6-4 defeat was his second of the round robin stages, following on from his loss to Oscar Hernandez.

But the 30-year-old, who has fallen to 1082nd in the rankings, said he had no plans to retire and intended to fight his way back into the top 50.

Earlier, Argentina's Gaston Gaudio pulled out because of injury.

Spain's Ramirez Hidalgo defeated Argentina's Diego Hartfield 6-4 6-1, and Ivan Navarro, while Italy's Martin Vassallo Arguello overcame Boris Pashansky of Serbia 7-6 (7-2) 6-4.