Chilean tennis star Fernando Gonzalez was struck by an object thrown from the crowd after helping his country defeat Venezuela in a Davis Cup doubles match yesterday. A spectator threw a plastic water bottle that hit Gonzalez in the head at the end of the Davis Cup America Zone Group 1 qualifying match.Gonzalez, ranked 14th in the world, had enraged some Venezuelan fans by calling for silence after he and Hermes Gamonal defeated Venezuelans Jose de Armas and Kepler Orellana 7-5, 6-4, 6-4. The crowd had been protesting some controversial line decisions by the umpire. ‘‘Fortunately it was just a big fright. I felt dizzy at the start but nothing more,’’ Gonzalez said after going on to beat De Armas later in the day. ‘‘It’s sad that because of a couple of people such a nice crowd’s image is tarnished.’’Venezuelan captain Alfonso Mora apologised on behalf of the home team. ‘‘I’m very ashamed for what happened, but I’m happy for the great sporting spirit that prevailed in the end,’’ he said, referring to Gonzalez’s decision not to abandon the day’s play. A man was detained by police in connection with the incident.
