Bangkok, Sept 24: Fifth seed Jarkko Nieminen beat Thai wild card Danai Udomchoke 6-4, 6-1 to advance to the second round of the first edition of the Thailand Open in Bangkokon Tuesday (September 23). The Finn, who reached the final in Munich during the claycourt season, improved his record for the year to 37 wins to 23 defeats. Udomchoke was taking part in his first ATP tournament since Tokyo in 2001.

American Brian Vahaly reached the second round after his opponent, Australian qualifier Jaymon Crabb, retired with a right shoulder injury at 7-5, 2-1. The 24-year-old Atlanta resident, who made it to the semifinals in Memphis in February, improved his 2003 record to 12-20.


Bureau Report