Bangok, Sept 25: Paradorn Srichaphan calmed the heart palpitations of nervous organisers as his country's first-ever ATP tournament looked briefly like losing its local draw-card in the first round yesterday.
But fourth seed Paradorn eventually came right on the night to save himself and the 550,000-dollar Thailand Open through a 0-6 6-3 6-2 comeback over Vladimir Voltchkov of Belarus.
Tensions were high among a sellout crowd at the Impact Arena as the world number 11 failed to make an impression, losing the first set without a fight in just 26 minutes to the European.
Voltchkov was far from brimming with energy after flying in from a winning Davis Cup date in Germany last weekend, where he went five sets against Rainer Schuettler on clay.

But Paradorn soon began reversing the losing tide, breaking for a 2-0 lead in the second set as his shots on the indoor carpet began to find their range.



Voltchkov, ranked 87th, has reached season bests of four quarter-finals in 2003. He was no match once the talented Thai hit his straps.



"Paradorn was like an express, I should have stepped on the gas after the first set, but he played too well. He had nothing to lose and was hitting some great shots."



Spain's Davis Cup pair of Juan Carlos Ferrero and Carlos Moya both shook off weariness to collect tickets into the second round.


Bureau Report