The fourth-seeded winner admitted he played with minimal motivation as the first match of the day on an event which begins a day later than normal.
Gonzalez, 25, owns two titles this season, from Auckland and Amersfoort. The Chilean improved to 5-2 in Basel after reaching the 2002 final against David Nalbandian.
German Michael Berrer played well above his 257 ranking as the lucky loser from qualifying rounds upset Czech Tomas Zib 6-3, 7-5 to earn a place against Gonzalez.
Unseeded Thai Paradorn Srichaphan returned refreshed from a quick trip home to Bangkok last week, and followed up on the game which took him to the Stockholm final the previous week.
The Asian rolled over Christophe Rochus of Belgium 6-3, 6-2, improving his record on the year to 33-30 as a fightback to form in the late season continues.