Violent Fan Behavior Suspends Play in Chile

The Davis Cup competition between Argentina and Chile at Santiago, Chile, might be completed behind closed doors without fans.

A singles match Friday between Argentina’s Mariano Zabaleta and Chile’s Nicolas Massu was suspended when angry fans pelted the court with plastic chairs, bottles and other items. Officials decided to complete the best-of-five American Zone match in private.

That decision, however, could meet opposition from the players. The Chileans have said they would only play before their fans. The Argentines said they were going home as soon as possible.

“I was hit by a chair and was protected by my cap,” said Argentina’s Hernan Gumy, who lost the first match to Marcelo Rios. “Today they toss bottles on us. Tomorrow they can shoot us.”

Argentina’s Mariano Zabaleta was leading Chile’s Nicolas Massu, 7-5, 2-6, 7-6 (1), 3-1, when referee Tony Hernandez of the Dominican Republic penalized Massu four consecutive points because fans were disturbing play by shouting and making noise.

The crowd responded by throwing objects onto the court.

Police, using riot shields as overhead protection, escorted the Argentine team and the match officials from the court as plastic chairs, fruit, bottles and coins cascaded from the stands.

Three police officers and Zabaleta’s father suffered minor injuries.

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Spain used a three-set victory by Juan Carlos Ferrero over Yevgeny Kafelnikov to close within one victory of eliminating Russia in the best-of-five quarterfinal at Malaga, Spain.

Ferrero defeated Kafelnikov, 6-2, 6-2, 6-2, following Alex Corretja’s 6-4, 6-3, 5-7, 6-1 victory over Marat Safin.

Australia gained a 2-0 edge over Germany when Wayne Arthurs defeated David Prinosil, 7-6 (5), 3-6, 7-6 (3), 6-7 (7), 11-9; and Lleyton Hewitt beat rookie Michael Kohlmann, 6-1, 6-1, 6-2, at Adelaide, Australia.

Brazil’s Gustavo Kuerten won the final two sets to overtake Karol Kucera, 2-6, 6-3, 4-6, 7-5, 6-1, and gained the split against the Slovak Republic at Rio de Janeiro. Dominik Hrbaty beat Fernando Meligeni, 6-1, 7-5, 6-2, in the first match.