Lopez spurns Thailand Open
World No 28 Feliciano Lopez has withdrawn from the US$587,000 PTT Thailand Open, though four higher ranked stars, including Andy Murray, are still on course to appear in the Land of Smiles.
he Spanish pinup has given no reason for pulling out from the ATP event, which runs between September 26 and October 2. His withdrawal means German Matthias Bachinger, ranked No 88 in the world, gets in from the alternate list to the main draw.
World No 4 Murray, No 6 Robin Soderling, No 7 Gael Monfils and No 11 Gilles Simon, the 2009 winner, however, have committed to enter the ATP 250 event due at the Impact Arena Muang Thong Thani.
Elsewhere, in the US$100,000 Women's International Challenge in Ningbo, China, all three Thais advanced to the second round yesterday. Thai No 2 Noppawan Lertcheewakarn beat Zhang Ling of Hong Kong 6-2 4-6 7-5, Varatchaya Wongteanchai downed China's Zhao Di 3-6 6-1 6-4, and Nudnida Luangnam won her first match in many months, defeating Chinese Liu Wanting 6-2 6-0.
