Thai star Paradorn Srichaphan trains for the Thailand Open at the Impact Arena in Muang Thong Thani yesterday.

PARADORN CONFIDENT

Local star looking for a victory

[Tennis] Local favourite Paradorn Srichaphan believes he can end his losing streak to Spaniard Feliciano Lopez when they meet in the first round of the US$550,000 Thailand Open tomorrow.

The Thai has not beaten his pony-tailed opponent in any of the three matches they have played, but is confident his recent form and support from fans will drive him on to his first win against Lopez.

"I have never beaten him, but that is in the past. He doesn't have good results this year, whereas I'm playing good tennis right now,'' said the eighth-seeded Thai, who practised with Thai No 2 Danai Udomchoke yesterday under the supervision of his father Chanachai.

Although he has yet to win a title at home, Paradorn considers the Thailand Open his lucky tournament. He reached the quarter-final in 2003 and two semi-finals in the past two years. Last year he was supposed to play Lleyton Hewitt in the quarter-final, but the Australian was forced to withdraw with injury.

"I have always played well here, maybe because it's a home tournament. The fans are very supportive here, which gives me extra power,'' added Paradorn.

"Lopez is a left-hander and has a good serve. This is a tough first round for me. My plan is to cut down on unforced errors and play with prudence,'' said the world No 41 ranked Thai, who has just returned from playing a Davis Cup tie against Germany on the weekend where he lost his two matches.

Danai is drawn to play Switzerland's world No 152 George Bastl, a qualifier and by far his best draw in the tournament.

"I don't have to meet seeded players so early. It's a good opportunity to move beyond the first round,'' said Danai, whose confidence has grown since his win over world No 14 Tommy Haas of Germany in the Davis Cup.

"I have been feeling well after that victory. I'm determined to play my best tennis in front of the home crowd,'' added Danai, who lost to Bastl three years ago in the Tokyo Open.

Juan Carlos Ferrero of Spain is determined to win here too after losing in the final in 2003.

"But it will be tough because the field is strong here,'' said the former world No 1, who lost the 2003 final to American Taylor Dent.

The Spaniard said that despite the political turmoil he saw no problems in Bangkok.

"I didn't see any tanks or military like on television. Everything is calm and looks normal,'' said the 18th-ranked Ferrero, who admitted he did not like Thai cuisine and had no time for sightseeing.

Ferrero, who will play German qualifier Mischa Zverev in the first round, expects to return to the top 10 next year by achieving good Grand Slam results.

Last year's runner-up Andy Murray arrived with his coach Brad Gilbert after helping Great Britain beat Ukraine in the Davis Cup over the weekend.

"I have had only one day to practise coming from the Davis Cup. But I will have a difficult match against Tim Henman in the first round," he said. "If I play well like last year I will have a chance,'' said Murray, ranked No 16 in the world.

In the final qualifying round yesterday, top seed George Bastl of Switzerland beat Japan's Satoshi Iwabuchi 6-1 6-1, second-seeded Lars Burgsmuller of Germany ousted Benjamin Balleret of Monaco 7-6 (7-2) 6-1, Germany's Matthias Bachinger picked off Switzerland's Michael Ryderstedt 7-5 6-4 and fourth-seeded Mischa Zverev of Germany moved past Russian Dmitri Sitak 6-2 7-5.

Order of play today

Main stadium matches start at 12.00pm

Michael Ryderstedt (SWE) v Mikhail Ledovskikh (RUS)

Followed by Kenneth Carlsen (DEN) v Robby Ginepri (USA)

Not before 5pm

Juan Carlos Ferrero (ESP) v Mischa Zverev (GER)

Not Before 7.30pm

Ivan Lubicic (CRO) v Fernando Vicente (ESP)

Followed by Rainer Schuettler (GER)/ Danai Udomchoke (THA) v Stephen Huss (AUS)/ Jim Thomas(USA).

Court 1 matches start at 12.00pm

Alex Bogdanovic (GRB) v Wang Yeu-Tzuoo (TPE)

Followed by Jonathan Erich/Andy Ram (ISR) v Julien Beneteau(FRA)/Jeff Coetzee (RSA)

Not Before 4pm

Feliciano Lopez (ESP)/Marat Safin (RUS) v Michael Kohlmann/Alexander Waske (GER)

Followed by Frank Dancevic (CAN) v Lars Burgsmuller (GER)

Not Before 7.30pm

Marcos Daniel (BRA) v Benjamin Becker (GER).

Lerpong Amsa-ngiam

The Nation