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Published on September 29, 2007

The amazing Ratiwatana twins rescued the Thailand Open from turning into a damp squib with a superb performance to enter the doubles semi-finals at the Impact Arena in Muang Thong Thani yesterday.Sanchai and Sonchat spent 73 minutes to hold off the more experienced pair of Petr Pala and David Skoch of the Czech Republic 6-3 7-6 (7-3) in the quarter-finals for their third ATP semi-final berth after Newport and Los Angeles this year.

Their best showing at home came at the right time for an event devastated by a series of withdrawals of big names and upset results, spreading concerns that a less than anticipated crowd will show up during the weekends.

"I think fans who come to the tournament this year are real tennis fans. In the past, they might have come just because of tennis fever. I'm glad that we helped keep the attention of the fans and hope to bring them to watch the doubles,'' said Sonchat, who had never gone this far in the tournament.

"We've learned our lessons from the last ATP semi-final that we lost. We came so close to winning but couldn't. This time, we want to win not only for the fans but also for ourselves,'' said Sanchai. The duo will play American Jim Thomas and Australian Ashley Fisher in the semi-final.

"We have played them before but they have teamed up with different partners. Again it depends on whether we can maintain our level like we did today,'' the younger Sanchai added.

In the singles quarter-finals, "Blog Man" Dmitry Tursunov of Russia, who has put aside his journal for months to focus on his game, rallied to beat an inspired Wang Yeu-tzuoo of Taiwan 4-6 6-2 6-4.

"He returned well. I thought I would get points from my serves but the returns were pretty penetrative. But I felt good in the end and was happy to win,'' said the sixth seed.

"When you are on the Tour for five to six years, other players know your game. Obviously I'm always under pressure because I have a higher ranking and have more to lose. It's something psychological that everybody has to deal with,'' said the Russian, who lines up against Spanish left-hander Fernando Verdasco, a 4-6 7-6 (7-2) 6-4 winner over Nicolas Mahut of France.

The Spaniard won in straight sets in their only confrontation, which was in Roland Garros in May. But that was on clay whereas here it will be on hardcourt, which could help the Russian's flat groundstrokes.

"He is better on hard courts. It will be more difficult than the last time we played. But I'm confident now and want to win the tournament. I will do everything possible,'' said Ferdasco, who is in his second semi-final this season after a similar performance in Kitzbuhel, Austria. In the all-German quarter-final, Benjamin Becker came back from a break down to beat close friend Dominik Meffert 7-6 (7-2) 7-5.

Lerpong Amsa-ngiam

The Nation

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