Paris, Oct 28: Paradorn Srichaphan's slim chances of making it to the money-spinning Masters Cup in Houston improved yesterday when Robby Ginepri, the Thai eighth seed's potentially tricky opening opponent, crashed out at the first hurdle of the Paris Masters.
The American was beaten 7-6 (7/5) 6-4 by Slovak qualifier Karol Beck leaving Paradorn a slightly smoother path to the later stages of the tournament.
The Thai star, a semi-finalist here in 2002, is vying for the last remaining place at the eight-man Masters Cup in Texas next month although David Nalbandian of Argentina and Australia's Mark Philippoussis are better placed in the shake-up.
For the moment, however, Paradorn is just grateful that Ginepri has been removed from the draw as he had lost both their previous encounters.
"Last year when i reached the semi-finals here, no-one really knew me," said Paradorn, recognising that he has rapidly become one of the most dangerous players on the tour and is a marked man as a result.



"This time will be completely different as the other players will want to beat me."



Philippoussis's dreams of making it to the Masters Cup were given a huge boost by a wrist injury to Nalbandian who had to scratch from the final of the Swiss Indoors Championship in Basel Sunday, handing victory to countryman Guillermo Coria.


Bureau Report