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Published on September 27, 2007

The Open has turned into a cup of woe for both the fans and organisers. With Raphael Nadal and Novak Djokovic already out because of injury problems, Roddick, a former world No 1, rubbed salt into their wounds by holding a press conference to announce his withdrawal.

The American, a finalist in 2004, hurt his sole during practice on Tuesday but hoped he would recover in time for his match against Taiwan's Wang Yeu-tzuoo. It was not to be.

"I spent today trying to get better, did my best to get fit, but didn't have enough time," said Roddick, who was replaced by compatriot Philip King.

"I feel disappointed that I'm not going to play here. This is part of sport which is not what everyone likes. It's not good for the fans and the organisers. I hope that I can come back again in future - probably next year," said the former US Open champ, who will return to the US immediately to consult a US Davis Cup team therapist and may take a few weeks off.

Five players, including three of the world's top 5, have pulled out. Their withdrawals are the biggest setback to the since the tournament started in 2003.

Apart from Roddick, former Australian Open champion Thomas Johansson of Sweden and countryman Joachim Johansson were the other two stars who withdrew yesterday. The former cited flu and the latter fatigue.

But the remaining players kept to their routine in the first round yesterday. Czech third seed Tomas Berdych is now the only top 10 player left in the top half of the draw. Yesterday he took just 47 minutes to eliminate local wildcard Kittipong Wachira-manowong 6-3 6-0.

"My problem was 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 is back in Bangkok for the first time since the Davis Cup tie between Thailand and the Czech Republic in 2003.

Berdych arrived on Tuesday with no idea who Kittipong was, except that he played on the local junior circuit.

"He tried to be aggressive at the beginning but made a lot of mistakes. Many juniors play like this. They need more experience," said the Czech, who has a tough assignment against German Mischa Zverev in round two.

Kittipong was more than happy to take three games from a top 10 player, who

gave him a big lesson on the court.

"It was a great experience for me. Of all the junior and Futures matches I have been through, I have never played anyone who hits so hard and barely misses like this," said Kittipong, who was so excited he had to take deep breaths 10 times before the match to try to calm his nerves.

In other matches, Aussie qualifier Nick Lindahl continued his run, coming from behind to upset American Sam Querrey 2-6 6-4 6-3.

Eighth seeded Spaniard Fernando Verdasco trounced American David Martin 6-2 6-1 while Russian sixth seed Dimitry Tursunov sent Austrian Werner Eschauer packing 6-3 3-6 6-1. Tursunov will join compatriot Igor Kunitsyn, a 6-3 6-4 winner over Swiss George Bastl, in round two.

Peerakiat Siriluethaiwat-tana replaced Thomas Johansson but didn't last long. He went down to German Simon Stadler 6-1 6-2, also a late entry in the tournament because of withdrawals.

The exit of the two Thai juniors means Danai Udomchoke, who survived two match points and beat Israeli Harel Levy on Tuesday, is the lone local survivor.

The Thai No 1 takes on German Benjamin Becker in today's second round. 

Lerpong Amsa-ngiam

The Nation

Nonthaburi