FRIDAY, March 29, 2024
nationthailand

No 2 tennis player Kittipong delighted to play Dutchman Hasse

No 2 tennis player Kittipong delighted to play Dutchman Hasse

Thai No 2 Kittipong Wachiramowong is delighted to play his idol Robin Hasse of The Netherlands in the first round of the US$644,500 Thailand Open, which got underway at the Impact Arena Muang Thong Thani yesterday.

Ranked 516 in the world, the local wildcard holder was impressed by the Dutch player, whom he first saw during a tournament in Italy last year. And they hit the ball together in a practice session yesterday before realising they would confront each other in a real match.  "He is my idol. I watched him play and I really like the way he plays the game.

"I was even more impressed when he agreed to practice with me. Who would have thought we would play each other in the first round," said Kittipong, who will play his first match in the main draw of the tournament.

 "I have always been drawn to play a seeded player every time. But I hope I can win my first match in the main draw this year, especially if I can hit the ball like I did during the practice session today," added Kittipong, who is hoping to pull off a miracle against the world No 42.

The Kingdom's ace Danai Udomchoke, who will be playing a record ninth straight Thailand Open, has been given an uphill mission against world No 42 Fabio Fognini of Italy.

Top seed and world No 4 Andy Murray, due to arrive in Bangkok tomorrow, has a first round bye and will play the second round match against either German Michael Berrer or a qualifier after the opening ceremony at 7pm on Thursday.

All top four seeds - the other three are world No 8 Gael Monfils of France, 2009 winner Gilles Simon of France, No 11, and defending champion Guillermo Garcia-Lopez of Spain, No 35 - have first round-byes.

World No 6 Robin Soderling withdrew, citing mononucleosis, which is commonly known as glandular fever. Seeded fifth to eighth are Ivan Dodig of Croatia, Fabio Fognini of Italy, Robin Hasee the Netherlands and Pablo Andujar of Spain.

Matthias Bachinger, No 91, was the only player presented at the draw yesterday. The German, who was drawn against a qualifier, is hoping to have a good run in the Kingdom after failing to qualify for the main draw five years ago.

"I want to show some great tennis and want to have fun, want to win every match I play but it's going to be very tough as there are many good players here. Playing a qualifier is never easy. They got used to the court. We will see what's going to happen."

In the first qualifying rounds, Oliver Marach of Austria beat Pongsiri Niroj 6-3 6-3, Jose Statham of New Zealand beat Ashley Fisher of Australia 6-2 6-2, and Frank Moser of Germany beat Kong Pop Lertchai 6-1 4-6 6-4. In the second round, third-seeded Simone Bolelli beat Warut Korkiatthaworn 6-2 6-2 while fifth-seeded Amir Weintraub beat Warit Sornbutnark 6-4 6-1.

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