Tammy loses step to Bammer music

Battling her way into the main draw through the qualifiers, Tamarine raced to a one set and 2-0 lead but let the opportunity slip.

After dropping critical serves in the ninth game of the second set, the Thai resistance appeared over as she went down 7-6 (8/6) 4-6 2-6. Their tussle extended to 11 pm Melbourne time.

But her duty at Melbourne Park is not over yet as she and doubles partner Aiko Nakamura have been drawn to meet Spain's Lourdes Dominguez Lino and Arantxa Parra Santonja tomorrow.

The men's doubles draw

was released yesterday and  Sonachat and Sanchai Ratiwatana are to make

their Australian Open debut against the high-profile team of Arnaud Clement and Michael Llodra of France, the reigning Wimbledon champions, in the opening round tomorrow.

But the holders of two ATP trophies, with their latest triumph coming two weeks back in Chennai, are not in awe of their seventh-seeded first-round opponents.

"It's a tough draw but we are not afraid of any team right now,'' said elder brother Sonchat, who along with Sanchai beat Llodra and countryman Nicholas Mahut for their first career title at the Thailand Open last year.

"It's a different team and a different day. Llorda serves and volleys well but has a poor return. Clement doesn't serve big but he returns well and has solid groundstrokes. We have to play at our level best,''  Sonchat said.

The Nation