Paradorn, who surprisingly stormed into the semi-finals of the Pacific Life Open before losing to eventual champion Roger Federer, rocketed from No 61 to No 38 this week in the ATP entry system ranking.

It is the first time he has been in the top 40 rankings since starting the year at No 42 before dropping out of the top 50 at the end of January after his first round exit at the Australian Open. His dismal results then continued and he lost three straight first round matches until last week, when he regained his composure on court.

Paradorn, an unseeded player, upset four seeded players including former world No 1 Juan Carlos Ferrero and world No 4 David Nalbandian on his way to the semi-final. His surprise run was ended by Federer, who won 6-2 6-3.

This week Paradorn will have to prove that his formidable display in Indian Wells was no fluke when he enters the year's second Masters Series in Miami. He was a semi-finalist there in 2003.

Meanwhile, Thai men's No 2 Danai Udomchoke slipped two notches from No 112 to No 114 in the rankings this week. The disheartened Danai bowed out in four first rounds and could not fulfil his goal of breaking into the top 100 after coming so close at No 104 last month.

Danai, in an attempt to restore his confidence, will play in a small local tournament this week and will represent Thailand in next month's Davis Cup Zone Asia/Oceania second round tie with Japan in Bangkok.

On the women's side, Thai No 1 Tamarine Tanasugarn moved up a spot to No 152 this week. She is playing in a challenger tournament in Redding, California, along with compatriot Suchanan Viratprasert. Suchanan fell one place to No 191 on the rankings.

Lerpong Amsa-ngiam

The Nation