Danai Udomchoke sent a clear signal that he is a power to be reckoned with in Asia by knocking out former world No 1 Juan Carlos Ferrero of Spain to make a career-best third-round appearance in a Grand Slam event in Melbourne yesterday.

No one had predicted that Danai had the resources to upset the 24th-seeded ex-French Open winner, but he showed the world once again that he has what it takes to be with the top players.

Just like his upset win against South Korean Lee Hyung-taik for the Asian Games gold medal in December, Danai emerged the unlikely hero by doing the unexpected. He toppled the Spaniard in the second round 7-6 (7-0) 7-5 4-6 6-1, to be the only Asian male player in round three.

The turning point of the contest came in the first set when Danai was several times a point away from losing on the Spaniard's serves. It was the same old story in the second. But he wriggled out of the tight situation by unleashing three forehand winners and a backhand passing shot as Ferrero's confidence slowly deserted him.

"He seemed stunned, probably because he had the chance to close out the first set but couldn't,'' said Danai, whose best previous Grand Slam performance was reaching the second round at Wimbledon two years ago. "After I broke him, I was pumped up."

After turning the situation around to win the first two sets, Danai appeared to cruise through the third set by leading 2-0 but cramps began to slow down his movements. The Thai world No 102 ended up losing the set but stormed back in the fourth set to win in just 28 minutes.

"I had cramps because of the heat and tiredness. I had problems with my serves as I couldn't fully stretch my leg. But I stuck to my game-plan by playing solid tennis, which helped me to win the fourth set,'' added Danai, whose other biggest win was a surprise victory over Tommy Haas during the Davis Cup play-off last September.

Apart from the cheque of US$49,100 (Bt1.86 million), Danai will have the chance to test his mettle against world No 15 Novak Djokovik of Serbia and Montenegro. The teenage Serbian, who breezed past Feliciano Lopez in straight sets, is even more dangerous than Ferrero as he is one of the biggest hitters on the tour and just won a title this year in Adelaide.

"I have to return the balls deep to keep Djokovik off his comfort zone as he is much more aggressive than Ferrero. I have nothing to lose going into the match and won't be under any pressure. I came to Melbourne expecting to win only the first round," said Danai, who teamed up with the 19-year-old Serbian in the Thailand Open doubles two years ago.

Despite coming from a tropical country, Danai was concerned about the scorching conditions in Melbourne, which could cause cramps easily.

"It could happen in a long match. I need to do a lot of massages to relax my muscles."