Danai has a big Russian hurdle to get over
[TENNIS] When Thailand's Danai Udomchoke picks up his racquet to play in the first round at Wimbledon, he will try to achieve something he has never done before - defeat Russian Dmitri Tursunov.
The 97th ranked Danai, who was accepted into the main draw of a Grand Slam event for the first time without having to play through the qualifying rounds, first met the Russian across the net last week at the Queen's Club tournament in London and lost 6-3 2-6 6-2. It was Danai's second defeat to the big-hitting Tursunov, who also dashed the hopes of British fans by eliminating Tim Henman in the second round last year. Danai's first defeat to the Russian came at the challenger level in Hawaii three years ago and he lost 6-1 6-3. "He likes to rip off winners. If you give him easy balls, he will go for his shots and you have no chance," said Danai, who is concerned about how to tackle the 27th-seeded Tursunov. "I have to keep the ball low and deep. Last time I tried to keep the ball deep to the back of the court but they were not low enough. He replied with winners," added Danai, who last year became the second Thai male after Paradorn Srichaphan to win a Grand Slam match. As a qualifier, Danai reached the main draw at Wimbledon for the first time and made it to the second round after an upset win over Austrian Stefan Koubek, while countryman Paradorn failed to get past round one. But his journey on the green grass came to an end at the hands of 2004 semi-finalist Mario Ancic of Croatia. But the Thai put up a great fight to take Super Mario to four sets before falling 7-6 (8-6) 3-6 6-3 6-3. Danai hopes to do well this year. However, a groin injury he sustained at the Queen's Club might get in the way. "I'm not 100 per cent now. I still have that injury and don't know what to expect if I have to play five sets. Hopefully it will get better in the next few days," said Danai. Despite his injury concerns, Danai is still working hard under Czech coach Jan Storces for three hours a day. "It's tough work. He just wants me to spend time and feel the ball. We also work on my strokes and volleys, but the most important things is my serve because good serves help a great deal on grass," said Danai. Three months ago Danai would not have thought he would be swinging his racquet at Wimbledon after having to pack his bags and leave tournament after tournament so early. He lost six straight first rounds and almost left tennis for a while. But after helping Thailand beat Japan in the Davis Cup plus two challenge trophies in India and Uzbekistan, he restored his confidence and cracked the top 100 rankings for the first time a few months ago. It looks like he is on the right track to gain further glory, and that could start here at Wimbledon. Lerpong Amsa-Ngiam The Nation Wimbledon
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