World No 9 signs up for star-strewn Thailand Open

Simon

The lanky world No 9 is a counter-puncher and one of the fastest movers on the court. Last year Simon was one of a select few to take the scalps of the world's top three players - Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic. The 24-year-old is the France's No2 behind world No 7 and defending champion Tsonga.

Also joining the field are world No 24 Sam Querrey from the US, one of the biggest servers on the tour, No 30 Viktor Troicki of Serbia and Dudi Sela of Israel, No 64.

After winning a Challenger in Nakhon Ratchasima in April while he was ranked outside the top 100, up-and-coming Andreas Beck returns to the Kingdom with a career-high ranking of 40. Golden oldies Fabrice Santoro and Marat Safin will take a last throw of the dice at the Open before hanging up their racquets for good at the end of the year.

As for Asian players, Taiwanese Lu Yen-hsun will carry the hopes of the continent in the event. Lu is now 74 on the ATP rankings and will be joined by local ace Danai Udomchoke who will make his comeback on the tour after almost two months out, nursing his injured hand. Twin brothers Sonchat and Sanchai Ratiwatana will represent Thailand in the doubles event which they won in 2007.

 Venus loses in second round

Venus Williams' tune-up for the US Open hit a surprising roadblock in a 1-6 7-5 6-4 loss to Ukraine's Kateryna Bondarenko in the second round of the Rogers Cup on Tuesday.

"I was definitely expecting to play well and to go very far in the tournament," Williams said. "It's disappointing."