Danai, Kittipong handed wild cards

Thailand's top two men's tennis players Danai Udomchoke and Kittipong Wachiramanowong have been awarded wild cards for the main draw of the PTT Thailand Open.

Danai will now become the only player to play in all nine editions of the tournament. Currently making his comeback from shoulder surgery, Danai has won three Futures-level tournaments in 2011 and leapt 600 places in the rankings, to No 206. After resting his injured shoulder for a month, he hopes to enter the Thailand Open fresh and injury free.

 "The shoulder is picking up and I am trying to prepare for the Open. It's a home event and I always aim to bring the best out of myself," said Danai who is planning to hang up his racquet at the end of 2012.

Kittipong, ranked No 511 in the world, is currently in Gimchoen for the Davis Cup tie against South Korea in the Zone Asia/Oceania Qualifying Group II. News of the wild card should boost the youngster as he prepares to take on Kim Young-jun on the opening day this morning.

 "On ranking alone, I wouldn't have been eligible for the main draw. I'm grateful for the chance," Kittipong said. "I'll be trying my best and hoping for good results."

 The Thailand Open will be headlined by British world No 4 Andy Murray, No 6 Robin Soderling of Sweden and Frenchmen Gael Monfils (No 7) and Gilles Simon - 2009 Thailand Open champion and world No 11. The tournament runs at Impact Arena, Muang Thong Thani from September 24 to October 2, with tickets from Bt300 available at Thaiticketmajor outlets and metropolitan Thai Post offices. Call (02) 262 3838, or visit www.Thaiticketmajor.com or www.PttThailandOpen.org. Ticket buyers will go into a lucky draw for a return trip for two to attend the ATP World Tour Finals in London in November.

Elsewhere, in Gimchoen, Thai No 1 Peerakiat Siriluethaiwatana takes on rising star Lim Yong-kyu in the opening rubber of the Davis Cup at 9am Bangkok time. Peerakiat, No 816, replaced Danai Udomchoke who withdrew with a shoulder injury. The battle between Kittipong and South Korean No 2 Kim, ranked 474, follows.

"I've played both the players before so I know their games. My plan is to be patient and try to mix up the pace," said Kittipong, who says the high altitude in Gimchoen is giving the Thai squad breathing difficulties.

"We have to adjust a bit to get used to the conditions. The court is also slow and the ball bounces high. But I can play on this kind of surface," Kittipong said.

Captain Thanakorn Srichaphan admitted that the absence of ace player Danai has put his team in a tough position.

"We have to fight harder without Danai," said the former Thai No 1.

I lost control: Serena

Serena Williams explained her outburst at Greek umpire Eva Asderaki in Sunday's US Open women's final in a Twitter posting on Wednesday, saying she lost control of her emotions.

Australian Samantha Stosur coasted to a 6-2 6-3 triumph over the American 13-time Grand Slam singles champion, who directed a series of insults at Asderaki in the second set.

"My emotions did get the best of me this past weekend when I disagreed with the umpire," Williams said. "It has been a long road to get back to the US Open this year, and I am thankful to have had such a great two weeks in New York."

Williams, who turns 30 on September 26, was fined $2,000 for a code violation for verbal abuse for her comments.

She was on probation after a 2009 US Open semi-final outburst but was not banned from next year's US Open because the latest tirade was not ruled a "major offence."

The latest controversy stemmed from Williams hitting a forehand winner and screaming "Come on," while Stosur was lunging for the ball to attempt a backhand shot.

Asderaki said Williams' scream was a hindrance to Stosur and penalised her, handing Stosur a service break.

"Aren't you the one who screwed me over last time?" Williams said, referring apparently to a 2009 match in Doha.