Gutsy Danai downed by cramp

Danai Udomchoke put up a gutsy fight against world No 14 Gilles Simon before developing cramp and falling 6-1 3-6 6-7 (5-7) 6-3 6-2 to the 12th seed in the first round of the Australian Open yesterday.

The Thai qualifier was leading two sets to one when he was struck by cramp in both legs, and barely caused Simon any trouble from then on.

After splitting the first two sets with the Frenchman, Danai looked troubled in the third before requesting a trainer and receiving massage for his thighs several times. He quickly trailed 1-4 in the tiebreak but then hit four superb backhands down the line to stun Simon and take the set for a 2-1 lead.

In the fourth set, the wear and tear of his three qualifying matches finally caught up with Danai.

Tammy out

In the women's singles first round, Tamarine Tanasugarn, playing with her knee and elbow taped, sprayed the court with unforced errors before losing to Russia's Ekaterina Makarova 6-0 2-6 6-0.