Danai reaches first final in three years

Thai No 1 Danai Udomchoke beat his buddy Jimmy Wang of Taiwan 6-1 6-4 to reach his first Challenger final since 2009, in the US$50,000 McDonald's Burnie International, Burnie, Australia yesterday.

Danai displayed superior ground strokes to pick off Wang, the third close friend in a row the Thai has beaten, following wins over Sebastian Reischick of Germany and world No 65 Lu Yen-hsun of Taiwan. This is Danai's first Challenger since shoulder surgery in 2010. His previous Challenger final was in Busan, May 2009, where he went on to claim the title.

"I feel great after the match, of course, because this is my first final after the surgery. I played very well today and didn't make any mistakes on those important points,'' said Danai who came back from

1-3 down to win the first set, then managed a break in the seventh game of the second set to win the match.

Danai will play the final against Australian Samuel Groth who upset eighth seeded Yuichi Sugita of Japan 7-6 (7-5) 6-4.

"My tennis is getting better and I have started believing in myself now. If I can keep up with this form, I have a chance in the final," said Danai.

In Shenzhen, China, Thailand lost to Kazakhstan 2-1 in the Group B final round-robin tie in their Fed Cup Zone Asia/Oceania yesterday. Kazakhstan will face China in the play-off tomorrow for a berth in the World Group Play-off, while Thailand will take on Taiwan for third place.