Proton Malaysian Open: Gonzalez simply loving it in Kuala Lumpur

FERNANDO Gonzalez has picked up a few words of Bahasa Malaysia since arriving in Kuala Lumpur on Sunday for the Proton Malaysian Open.

The jovial Chilean, who lost to Rafael Nadal in the quarter-finals of the recent US Open, has learnt to say "selamat pagi", "terima kasih" and "saya hendak makan".

"I love Kuala Lumpur. People here are really friendly and I feel at home," said the World No 12 in an interview at a leading hotel yesterday. He added that the reporters had been teaching him to speak Bahasa Malaysia.

"I haven't had a chance to go around Kuala Lumpur but I hope to do so soon. I have been busy practicing for the Malaysian Open," added the 29-year-old.

Tomorrow, the hard-hitting fourth seed, who has won 11 ATP singles titles, will open his Malaysian Open campaign against India's Rohan Bopanna, who defeated Argentina's Jose Acasuso 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 in the first round.

Gonzalez, who received a first-round bye, said: "Every player here will be tough to beat. The courts here are good. The ball travels neither fast nor slow. I have come here to play good tennis,"

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