Date: 26th Sept 2007

Berdych and Haas still in line for first Thailand Open title

World #10 Tommy Berdych and #11 Tommy Haas remain on course for a showdown in the final of the Thailand Open 2007 after each posted first round wins yesterday. Berdych and Haas are the highest ranked players left in the draw after Andy Roddick’s withdrawal just 30 minutes before his first match with Wang Yeo-Tzuoo of Taipei on Wednesday night.

Roddick, the world #5, followed Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic, Hyung-taik Lee of South Korea and local favorite Paradorn Srichaphan who have pulled out of the tournament due to injury.

Speaking at a press conference at Impact Arena, Muang Thong Thani, the American #2 seed told the assembled media that a foot injury was the cause of his withdrawal.

“I came straight here (on Tuesday) to practice but had to stop, I hurt the bottom part of my foot and spent the rest of yesterday getting treatment. It felt okay, but when I was in my room, and I hurt it again,” Roddick said.

Meanwhile Czech Tomas Berdych took just 47 minutes to beat Thai junior and wildcard recipient Kittipong Wachiramanowong 6-3, 6-0. He will meet German Mischa Zverev in the second round on Thursday.

Tommy Haas’ progress was a little more difficult as he overcame a slow start to post a three set win over Vincent Spadea 4-6, 6-4, 6-1 and will play Nicolas Mahut of France in the second round.

All second round singles will be played on Thursday, including Thailand’s last remaining hope Danai Udomchoke who takes on Benjamin Becker of Germany.

Full results of Wednesday’s matches are as follows:

Stadium
[Q] N Lindahl (AUS) def. S Querrey (USA) 2-6, 6-4, 6-3
F Verdasco (8-ESP) def. D Martin (USA) 6-2, 6-1
T Berdych (3-CZE) def. [WC] K Wachiramanowong (THA) 6-3, 6-0
[WC] Y Wang (TPE) def. Phillip King (USA) 6-3, 6-3
T Haas (4-GER) def. V Spadea (USA) 4-6, 6-4, 6-1

Court 1
I Kunitsyn (RUS) def. [LL] G Bastl (SUI) 6-3, 6-4
A Fisher (AUS) / J Thomas (USA) def. [WC] H Levy (ISR) / D Udomchoke (THA) 6-4, 6-1
D Tursunov (6-RUS) def. W Eschauer (AUT) 6-3, 3-6, 6-1
[1] J Erlich (ISR) / A Ram (ISR) def. F Dancevic (CAN) / J Del Potro (ARG) 7-6(5), 6-4
[LL] S Stadler (GER def. P Siriluethaiwattan (THA) 6-1, 6-2
B Becker (GER) / I Kunitsyn (RUS) def. S Huss (AUS) / S Querrey (USA) 2-6, 6-4, 10-8
M Llodra (FRA) / N Mahut (FRA) def. C Hggard (RSA)/ [7] I Karlovic (CRO) 6-7(5), 6-4, 10-7
[2] J Coetzee (RSA) / R Wassen (NED) def W Eschauer (AUT) / M Russell (USA)
6-2, 6-3
6-3, 6-2
Please note: please refer to the official website www.thailandopen.org for more information and order of play.