Trailing Luis Horna of Peru 5-2 in the first set, Paradorn was far from posing a challenge to the 70th ranked opponent and decided to call it a day. Though not fully recovered from the nagging tendonitis, the former world No 9 made the trip to the USA and paid the price for his obstinacy.

According to his father and mentor, Chanachai, it is time for the Thai star to take a break from the circuit and rest his injured hand. Paradorn will cancel all his clay court tournaments in the hope that he will be fit in time for the French Open at the Roland Garros in late May.

Paradorn has been advised by a doctor in Miami to wear a plaster cast for two weeks and surgery may not be required if the condition improves within that time. However, Chanachai said an operation by an expert in Germany could be an option if there was no progress.

"After two weeks we will consult the surgeon in Germany if an operation is needed. But an operation will be our last choice as we are concerned that he might not be the same player when he returns to the court. Nicholas Kiefer [former world No 3] is a fine example. He is not completely cured despite undergoing three operations," said Chanachai.

With Paradorn out, Thailand still has two representatives in the year's second Masters Series event. Danai Udomchoke was scheduled to play Simon Gruel of Germany while Tamarine Tanasugarn, as a lucky loser, was to play Victoria Azarenka of Belarus later yesterday.

No more round robin

nThe ATP men's tennis tour has ended its a round-robin system, it announced on Wednesday.

The system had come in for some heavy criticism, including world No 1 Roger Federer after he won in Dubai earlier this month, though, that was a straight knockout tournament.