FORT MYERS, Fla. -- Andre Agassi and Michael Chang completed a U.S. Davis Cup sweep of Paraguay Sunday to cap a weekend of revenge for American tennis.
Agassi, the No. 3 player in the world, proved too powerful for Francisco Gonzalez in a 6-2, 6-4 triumph that gave the United States a 5-0 sweep of the first-round series. Earlier, Chang, 16, downed Hugo Chapacu 5-7, 6-0, 6-1.
Because the best-of-five event was clinched Saturday with a doubles victory by Ken Flach and Robert Seguso, Sunday's singles matches were reduced to best-of-three sets.
The United States will play France in the second round April 7-9 indoors at the San Diego Sports Arena, where John McEnroe is expected to replace Chang, who was making his Davis Cup debut.
The U.S. team avenged a 3-2 loss at Paraguay in 1987 that helped drop the American squad out of the 16-member World Group. The competition in Asuncion was marred by death threats against American players and Jimmy Arias was almost hit in the head by a brick as he walked off the court.
'I feel a sense of accomplishment,' said Agassi, who did not play in that tumultuous match two years ago. 'Hopefully, in the future, they (Paraguay fans) can just be civilized. I don't ask them to be polite, just civilized.'
Before a sellout crowd of 5,500 at the Sonesta Sanibel Harbour Resort and under sunny skies with 80-degree temperatures, Gonzalez, a late replacement for a weary Victor Pecci in Sunday's final match, served erratically and could not cope with Agassi's deep groundstrokes.
Four double-faults by Gonzalez in the seventh game of the opening set helped Agassi to a 5-2 advantage and Agassi held serve at love to capture the set in just 27 minutes.
Agassi opened a 3-1 lead in the second set before Gonzalez held service twice and broke Agassi for a 4-3 Paraguay advantage. After Agassi held to make it 4-4, the 18-year-old American capitalized on a weak second serve to rip a crosscourt forehand winner, then nailed a two-handed backhand down the line to break Gonzalez.
Ahead 40-15 in the 10th game, Agassi closed with a service winner and a forehand past Gonzalez on match point. Agassi bowed twice to a cheering crowd and tossed his headband into the stands as a group of admirers held up placards reading '10.'
'I think we have a great shot at beating France,' Agassi said. 'With Yannick (Noah) and (Henri) LeConte, they have some of the best talent in tennis. But I think they have to worry more about how to play us rather than us worrying about them.'
Chapacu, ranked No. 496, won the first set in 47 minutes as Chang netted a forehand volley to end the 11th game and netted a forehand on set point.
With Chang ahead 2-0 in the second set, Chapacu held a service advantage before the point that changed the complexion of the match. Chang hustled from one end of the baseline to the other and rolled a backhand that barely tipped over the net cord.
A startled Chapacu netted an easy backhand and the 22-point game ended moments later when Chapacu sailed a backhand wide and double-faulted on break point.
That collapse came in the midst of a 10-game winning streak for Chang, who made just three unforced errors in the 28-minute second set compared to 19 for his weary opponent.
Chang took a 4-0 advantage in the final set before the dispirited Chapacu finally held. Chang, who dropped a first-set tie-breaker to Pecci Friday before winning the next three sets, ended the match as Chapacu misfired on a forehand down the line.
'I know it goes on my record, so that was enough of an incentive for me,' Chang said. 'Davis Cup is unlike anything else in the tennis world. You go out there and the crowd cheers and it makes you feel good ... and more nervous. If I can handle the pressure of the Davis Cup, I can handle any pressure I'll find on the tour.'
