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Published on February 8, 2008

The Kingdom's team brushed aside the Eastern European side 5-0 the last time they faced off in Nonthaburi nine years ago.

Without the presence of the ailing Paradorn Srichaphan, the Thais rely heavily on Danai Udomchoke, who opens the action against Alexey Kerdyuk in the first rubber scheduled at noon.

"I beat him in five sets in 1999, but this time it's different as he is playing at home. He is a big guy and serves well. I will try to win the first point for Thailand,'' said Danai, the world No 189.

The second rubber will be between Weerapat Doak-maiklee and Uzbek No 1 Syrym Abdukhalikov, who lost to the Thai No 2 four years ago when both were on the junior circuit.

"He serves well and has flat groundstrokes which suits the fast courts in Almaty. I have to play consistent and attack when I have the chance,'' Weerapat said.

Doubles experts Sonchat and Sanchai Ratiwatana are set to play Dmitriy Makeyev and Stanislav Bykov tomorrow.

The Nation