Paradorn, the 2004 champion in Nottingham, had a tough time against qualifier Danai before winning 6-3 7-6 (7-4) in just over an hour in their first meeting at the ATP level. Paradorn last played Danai was in a small local tournament several years ago.

The Thai No 1, who was to team up with Danai in the doubles and play Stephen Huss of Australia and Wesley Moodie of South Africa late last night (Bangkok time), will play qualifier Janko Tipsarevic of Serbia and Montenegro in the second round of the singles.

In the qualifying round for the doubles at Wimbledon which ended on Monday, sixth-seeded Thais Sonchat and Sanchai Ratiwatana, who are making their debut in a Grand Slam event, beat Jean-Claude Scherrer of Switzerland and Lars Uebel of Germany 7-6 (7-3) 6-3 in the first round. They will next play Americans Kevin Kim and Cecil Mamiit, who upset the fourth-seeded Rik De Voest of South Africa and Australian Nathan Healey 6-4 7-5.

In the women's singles Thai-land's Tamarine Tanasugarn, who has a very solid record at Wimbledon after making it to the fourth round six times, defeated fourth-seeded Aravane Rezai of France 6-3 6-0 in the first round late last night.

Another Thai in the women's draw, Suchanan Viratprasert, will be attempting to reach the main draw of a Grand Slam for the

first time and was to meet 13th-seed Yulia Beygelzimer of Ukraine.