The Asian Games champion, who raised his profile with a third round berth in the Australian Open, said the presence of close friends Lu Yen-hsun and Wang Yeu-tzuoo, ranked No 91 and 147, would be a big hurdle for the Thai team to surmount if Paradorn, nursing right wrist tendinitis, doesn't recover in time.

"Don't look at the rankings because they are good players,'' said the in-form Danai, who will break into the top 85 next week. "The chance to beat them is around 50 per cent depending on who plays better on that given day."

While Danai expects to play a warm-up tournament in Durban, South Africa this week, Paradorn has yet to pick up a racquet after crashing out of the Australian Open in the first round at the hands of Israel's Dudi Selat. It is doubtful he will be fully fit for the tie, which will be held in Taipei from February 9-11. Paradorn lost his three last matches.

But Danai feels his colleague should skip the tie and get treatment rather than risk playing with an injury. In December, Paradorn went to the Doha Asian Games but was forced to withdraw after aggravating his condition.

"It will be tough without Paradorn but I would rather see him take a break and get the wrist healed completely," Danai said.

Without Paradorn, Danai must win two points from his singles rubbers and hope that Sonchat and Sanchai Ratiwatana can win the doubles to secure victory over the hosts. There is a distinct possibility that Thailand may lose the other two singles clashes. The Lawn Tennis Association of Thailand (LTAT) will call on five junior players and one will be selected as a possible substitute for Paradorn.

The five candidates are Weerapat Doakmaiklee, Kirati Siributwong, Peerakit Siributwong, Peerakiat Siriluethaiwattana and Kitipong Wachiramanowong. The one with the best performance in the on-going University Games will be picked.

Thailand's goal is to earn a slot in the World Group Play-off for the fifth time. The country reached the elite stage in 2002-2004 and again last year, but went no further.

Meanwhile, line judges are being tested by a television instant replay for the first time at the Australian Open, and the results so far support the old adage that no one's infallible.

At the end of the fourth round, men's singles players challenged line calls 79 times and women 44 times, for 123 overall, according to figures posted on the Australian Open website yesterday.

On the men's side, 39 calls were upheld and 40 overturned, for a per centage of 50.63. Judges fared better among the women, with 25 of the challenged decisions being upheld and 19 overturned, or 43.18 per cent.

Marat Safin had the most challenges - 11 in three matches, with seven calls overturned.

Under rules fresh this year, players can seek an instant review of line calls on giant TV screens on centre court at Melbourne Park. Players get two wrong challenges each set using the "Hawk-Eye" system, retaining their challenge each time they get it right. The system was first used at a Grand Slam at the US Open last year.

Some players don't like the system, including Roger Federer, who says it gives the judges an excuse to be lax and leave the onus on players to challenge.

"I think it's nonsense," Federer said this week. "Now they can hide even more behind these calls, that's for sure. They let us get embarrassed, basically."

But he added: "It's how it is. Might as well use it sometimes." 

Lerpong Amsa-ngiam

The Nation