Simon snaps year-long draught to win Bangkok trophy

The world No 10 chased the ball relentless to put pressure on his nervous opponent who was hoping to win his maiden title. He rallied back from a break down at 4-5 in the first set to turn the tide as the inexperienced Serbian started missing his shots from then on.

The 24-year-old Simon won back-to-back titles for France after countryman Jo-Wilfried Tsonga lifted the trophy last year. Taylor Dent, Roger Federer (2004-5), James Blake, Dmitry Tursunov and Tsonga were the five previous champions.

Since winning the Bucharest in September last year, Simon has failed to collect another trophy, until yesterday. So far he has won six career titles. He complimented the organisers, saying that he was so impressed by their hospitality that he was driven to win here.

"People were quite amazing with us. I had nice sensation since the beginning of the tournament. I can't remember feeling this good in my first time visiting a place. That's why I managed to win the tournament,'' said Simon whose triumph in the Kingdom was remarkable for someone who had to retire from his last tournament a month ago.

"When you never played a match for a month, it was never easy to know how you were going to play. The only thing I knew that I was playing good. Finally I knew this was the tournament that I needed to finish great this season,'' said Simon who was presented the trophy by Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva. He won the winner's cheque of US$100,100.

It was agony again for Troicki who was 0-2 in his two attempts in finals. He also lost to Juan Martin Del Potro in Washington last year.

"I was a bit disappointed but it was not easy to play against a top 10 player and win the first title. I had a great week. It hurts when you come so close and didn't make it. I will try to win next time,'' said the 23 year old Serbian who took home US$52,700.

In the doubles final, American Rajeev Ram made it a hat-trick by lifting the Thailand Open trophy for the third time. However his partner at this year was compatriot Eric Butorac. They downed Guillermo Garcia Lopez of Spain and Mischa Zverev of Germany 7-6 (7-4) 6-3. Ram, who is of Indian origin, won the 2003 and 2006 edition with Jonathan Erlich. Ram and Butorac won US$32,000. The runners-up received US$16,100.

Davydenko beats Verdasco

Top-seededed Nikolay Davydenko of Russia beat Fernando Verdasco of Spain 6-4 7-5 to win the Malaysia Open yesterday.