It says that both, Mariano and Gaston attracted lots of people at their practice session yesterday. M practiced with Machi Gonzalez, Gaston with a junior called Velotti.
Here is M's quote about the match:
"It is a match and nothing else. It is always nice to play in Bs As and it is even nicer to play against a friend. It is a match to enjoy, but of course I want to win it. We are two guys at the end of our careers and that's why there is not much pressure."
I did only watch the first set and beginning of second set.
Mariano did not start well at all, lots and lots of unforced errors. He was also break down in the second set. BUT the positive thing is that he never gave up, fought against his nervousness. Second set was close it could have gone the other way.
Article about the match. I will translate G's quote as it is very nice. As much as I wanted M to win yesterday, I can't be too angry at Gaston....
"Mariano is my brother for a lifetime. It is a pity I had to play him in the first round, because noone wants to beat a friend. We played a lot against each other and we are very even in the historical match records. It is the most difficult match for us to play."
HE CORINA I SAW ALL THE MATCH, IF I WANT TO SAY THE TRUTH IT WAS NOT A GOOD MATCH AND NOT A GOOD MARIANO BUT THAT WAS NOT THE MOST IMPORTANT, THE MOST INTERESTING THAT MARIANO SEEMS TO HAVE A LOT OF PLEASURE TO PLAY TENNIS AND HE'S IN A GOOD HEALTH