Gonzales, pal complete romp in F6 Futures

MANILA, Philippines - Fil-Am Ruben Gonzales captured his first title in the circuit for 2013 as he and partner Chris Letcher of Australia ruled the doubles event of the USA F6 Futures tournament in Harlingen, Texas.

The third-seeded Gonzales and Letcher did not let the opportunity slip away this time, playing in sync to beat American Kevin King and South African Dean O’Brien, 6-2, 6-3, for the crown in the $15,000 netfest.

It was redemption for the pair, who just a week before n Brownsville, Texas, fell short in their championship bid and lost a three-setter to their American rivals in the USA F5 finale.

Gonzales, 27, secured his fourth career doubles title after conquests in Futures tournaments in Austria, Germany, and Indian Harbour Beach, Florida in 2012.

The US-based Pinoy netter is also using the tour not only to pick up ranking points but also to hone himself for the Philippines’ Davis Cup Asia-Oceania Zone Group II second-round tie with Thailand next month at Plantation Bay. The world no. 824 Gonzales earlier played a key role in Phl’s 3-2 victory over Syria in the first round, accounting for a win in the singles and the clinching doubles triumph in partnership with fellow Fil-Am Treat Huey.