Stockholm, Oct 23: Defending champion and top seed Paradorn Srichaphan was eliminated in a 7-5 6-1 upset by Van Lottum.
Paradorn went down without a fight against Van Lottum, a world number 92 journeyman. The Thai will now have to work hard to reach one of the last two spots in next month's Masters Cup.
Paradorn currently stands in 11th position in the champions points race. But with Thai tranquility, the 24-year-old world number 11 is not worrying.
"Making the masters cup was not really a goal of mine this season, I'll go to Paris next week and really try to improve. I made the semi-finals there a year ago and I want to do better there than here."
The loss denied Paradorn his 50th victory of the season, in which he has won two trophys. He will leave the early snow of Stockholm for next week's concluding Masters Series at Paris Bercy.



Van Lottum, 27 and without a career title, has reached quarter-finals this year in Hertogenbosch (grass) and Bucharest (clay).



"This is probably the biggest win of the year for me. There was a lot at stake for him in this match. I've been hitting the ball well all week. I've been practising here since Thursday and feel really confident."


Bureau Report