• 
• 

Published on September 26, 2007

The Thailand Open suffered a double blow yesterday as Serbian sensation Novak Djokovic pulled out while fifth-seeded Carlos Moya suffered an early exit.

Top-seeded Djokovic, the US Open finalist, cited a back injury to withdraw from the tournament, which will cost him a US$40,000 fine for late withdrawal. The teenager is the second star to cancel his Bangkok trip after Spaniard Raphael Nadal withdrew on Sunday with a knee injury.

Moya, the former world No 1, fell victim to the big-hitting Benjamin Becker of Germany who was a 7-6 (5-7) 6-4 winner at the Impact Arena in Muang Thong Thani.

The upset win over Moya ended the German's streak of seven straight first-round losses.

"It's a good boost to my confidence to beat a guy like Moya. I stuck to my game plan by staying aggressive and avoided his forehand, which was his big weapon,'' said Becker, who pinned the Spaniard to the baseline with his fierce groundstrokes.

Thai hope Danai Udomchoke was playing Harel Levy of Israel in the first round at press time last night. The Israeli was leading Danai 2-1 in the first set.

American Andy Roddick, who touched down in Bangkok yesterday morning, is now the highest ranked player in the draw. The world No 5 and second seed plays Taiwanese Wang Yeu-tzuoo today at 7pm, which can be seen live on Truesport.

"I have known him since he was a junior. He is talented and plays from the baseline. But it's different conditions and a different court. It depends on how I adjust to it,'' said the 2004 finalist, who beat the Taiwanese in their only previous meeting.

Despite the absence of the two arch-rivals, Roddick, who lost to Roger Federer in the 2004 final, is not confident about his chances this year.

"I think my chance is as good as everybody else's in the draw. It's a little too early to talk about wining already. I hope to win tomorrow first,'' added the former world No 1 who said he would not mind being the best man for Paradorn Srichaphan's wedding with Natalie Glebova in November.

"I haven't seen him recently. I'm looking forward to catching up with him again,'' said Roddick, who revealed that players in the locker room had applauded the Thai for winning the heart of the former Miss Universe.

In other first-round action, seventh-seeded Ivo Karlovic of Croatia fired 23 aces to beat Feliciano Lopez of Spain 7-6 (7-2) 6-3.

"I'm happy with my game today, especially with my service. It was difficult to return his serve because he is also a very good server. But I did well and broke him twice,'' said the Croat giant.

German Mischa Zverev, last year's quarter-finalist, downed Michael Russell of the United States 6-4 3-6 6-1.

Qualifier Dominik Meffert of Germany moved past American Amer Delic 7-5 6-1 while Teimuraz Gabashvili of Russia beat Michael Llodra of France 7-6 (7-2) 7-5, Frank Dancevic of Canada rallied to beat Juan Martin Del Potro of Argentina 6-4 1-6 7-6 (7-4) and Nicolas Mahut of France sent Zack Fleishman of the United States packing 7-5 6-2.

For more updates on the Thailand Open, visit www.nationmultimedia.com.

Meanwhile in Mumbai, India, top-seeded Richard Gasquet of France stormed into the second round of the Mumbai Open tournament with a 6-1 6-2 victory over Belgian Kristof Vliegen here on Monday.

German Bjorn Phau survived some anxious moments before beating South African Moodie Wesley 6-3 2-6 6-4 in another first-round match on a rain-hit day.

Gasquet, ranked 14th in the world, hardly faced any resistance in the opening round, breaking error-prone Vliegen twice in the opening set and as many times in the second to run out a comfortable winner.

"I didn't think it would be so easy for me. It was nice to get an easy start as I had already lost to him at Roland Garros," said 21-year-old Gasquet, playing his first tournament in India.

"I was feeling good and the hard courts suited my style of play. I played very aggressive. It was a bit difficult to adjust to humid conditions in Mumbai. [But] I always wanted to be here."

Lerpong Amsa-ngiam

The Nation

Nonthaburi