Two of the biggest stars went out at the Thailand Open yesterday, with Juan Carlos Ferrero suffering a shock loss in his first match and Marcos Baghdatis withdrawing with a shoulder injury.

In the biggest upset on the first day, 2003 finalist Ferrero of Spain was subdued by the brilliant serve and volley game of German qualifier Mischa Zverev. The German won 4-6 6-2 6-4 in one hour and 42 minutes.

Second-seed Baghdatis injured his right shoulder during practice on Friday. He was the first international player to arrive in Bangkok, but also the first to leave.

"I felt really hurt and couldn't serve," he said. "I like Asia and was disappointed that I couldn't play. I have no idea when I will be able to play again," added Baghdatis, who was to play France's Julien Benneteau.

His place has been taken by Japan's Satoshi Iwabuchi.

Top seed and world No 3 Ivan Lubicic of Croatia survived the threat of Spaniard Fernando Vicente before prevailing 6-3 3-6 6-4 after two hours and 53 minutes.

Their game was played after the opening ceremony with James Blake, Marat Safin, Andy Murray, Tim Henman and Paardorn Srichaphan all present.

The 19-year-old Zverev could hardly believe he beat Ferrero, the former world No 1, for his biggest victory of his career.

"I can't describe my feelings now. Maybe when I wake up tomorrow, I will be able to tell how I feel," said the delighted German, who added that his crush on Thailand was a good boost for him.

The left-hander's attacking net play kept baseliner Ferrero at bay throughout the match and his volleys were lethal on the fast indoor surface.

"I felt comfortable from the baseline so I had to play aggressively by moving to the net. I didn't give him chances on my serves," added the teenager, one of several Germans in this year's tournament.

Ferrero was disappointed after his loss yesterday and after coming so close in the inaugural event three years ago when he lost to American Taylor Dent in the final.

"He did not let me get any rhythm going by moving to the net and volleying all the time," he said. "I lost the final here once. I was disappointed to lose again as I felt really comfortable here," added the sixth-seeded Ferrero, who capitalised on only one of his five break opportunities. "If I had

won those break points, I could have won this match. I didn't play good tennis and lost confidence," added the Spaniard, who appeared very downhearted in the post-match interview. He claimed jet lag partly affected his performance.

Seventh-seeded Robby Ginepri was safely through to the second round following his straight sets win over Denmark's Kenneth Carlsen in only 69 minutes.

It is his second trip to Thailand after he made it to the final eight last year where he came through a tough three set match against Thai No 2 Danai Udomchoke in the first round. They could have a rematch in round two should the Thai move past Switzerland's George Bastl in the first round.

"I took time off after the US Open and want to see how it goes here. I try to come in to the net and hit with my forehand big. I feel comfortable on court," said the world No 40, who is not fond of spicy Thai food but fascinated by Thai temples.

In other first round matches, Mikhail Ledovskikh of Russian beat Swedish qualifier Michael Ryderstedt 6-1 7-6 (9-7), Alex Bogdanovic of Great Britain won a tough three setter over Wang Yeu-Tzuoo of Taiwan 6-7 (7-9) 6-4 6-4. Frank Dancevic of Canada edged out qualifier Lars Burgsmuller of Germany 5-7 6-3 7-6 (9-7).

Thai hope Danai Udomchoke plays Switzerland's George Bastl about 4.30pm today. Fans who wear yellow shirts will get free access to his match. Paradorn Srichaphan meets Feliciano Lopez at about 7.30pm.

Order of play today

Main stadium

Starting at: 12.00pm

Jarkko Nieminen (FIN) v Edgardo Massa (ARG)

Not before 1.30pm

Andy Murray (GBR) v Tim Henman (GBR)

Not before 4.30pm

Marat Safin (RUS) v Kevin Kim (USA)

Starting at 7.00pm

Feliciano Lopez (ESP) v Paradorn Srichaphan (THA)

Followed by Marin Cilic (CRO) v James Blake (USA)

Court 1

Matches start at: 12.00pm

Julien Benneteau (FRA) v Satoshi Iwabuchi (JPN)

Not before 1.30pm

Rainer Schuettler (GER) v Lee Hyung-taik (KOR)

Followed by Benjamin Balleret (MON) v Alexander Waske (GER)

Not before 4.30pm

George Bastl (SUI) v Danai Udomchoke (THA)

Followed by Andy Murray/Jamie Murray (GBR) v Frank Dancevic (CAN)/Robby Ginepri (USA)

Followed by Benjamin Becker/Lars Burgsmuller (GER) v Jiri Novak/Petr

Pala (CZE)

Lerpong Amsa-ngiam

The Nation