Berdych dash Kittipong's hope

Fresh from contributing to his country's win over Switzerland in the Davis Cup play-offs, the world No 10 cut down early unforced errors and won the last seven games to complete his first match against the Thai top junior in just 47 minutes.

"My problem is to get ready for the match because I just came here and didn't have much time to prepare,'' said the world No 10 who returned to capital for the first time since the Davis Cup between Thailand and the Czech Republic in 2003.

The Czech player, the highest ranked player on the top half of the draw following the withdrawal of Novak Djokovic, has a tough assignment against German Mischa Zverev, the 2006 quarter-finalist, in round two.

"All opponents here are tough. I come here to play my best tennis, not thinking about the getting to the quarters or the semis. I just want to play better in my next match''

In the other first round matches, Australian qualifier Nick Lindahl continued his run in the tournament coming from behind to upset American Sam Querrey 2-6 6-4 6-3. Spain's eighth-seeded Fernando Verdasco trounced American David Martin 6-2 6-1 while Russian sixth-seeded Dimitry Tursunov sent packing Austrian Werner Eschauer 6-3 3-6 6-1 to join compatriot Igor Kunitsyn, a 6-3 6-4 winner over Swiss George Bastl, in round two. --The Nation