Danai Udomchoke and Tamarine Tanasugarn were handed relatively tailor-made draws yesterday as both prepared for their first matches in the qualifying rounds of the Australian Open today. Danai, ranked No 121, is seeded third in the qualifying draw and was placed against rising Ukrainian star Sergiy Stakhovsky, No 173 in the world.

Riders saddle up for Tour

[CYCLING] A total of 28 teams from 18 countries are ready to do battle for Bt1.5 million in prize money in the Tour of Siam, from this Sunday to the following Saturday. The Thailand Cycling Association (TCA) and Sport Emporium have joined with Thai Beverage Plc, which has provided Bt30 million in sponsorship money, to stage the latest competition on the world cycling calendar. The race has been designed to commemorate the first anniversary of last year’s tsunami-hit cycling tournament and aims to promote tourism.

SOCIAL SECURITY SCHEME: Overwhelmed hospitals pull out

Two private Phitsanulok clinics exit plan, sending 40,000 patients to govt facility

IN BRIEF: Spending scheme

SML funds 90% distributed; village leaders to be recruited