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Published on July 12, 2007

The new heartthrob on the ATP circuit first landed in Bangkok three years ago as an unfamiliar face but will come back as a celebrity in September after rising to a career-peak No 3 this week following his back-to-back semi-final appearances at Roland Garros and Wimbledon.

The lean Belgrade resident was just a new kid on the block with a ranking of only 248 when he competed at the Impact Arena in 2004 and bowed out in round one to Dutchman Dennis van Scheppingen in three sets. He partnered Danai Udomchoke in the doubles and managed to reach the quarter-finals.

Obviously one of the hottest players of 2007, the 20-year-old has accumulated three trophies this season and is touted as one of the strongest contenders to snatch the Thailand Open title.

Three-times French Open champion Nadal will make his debut in the Kingdom's most prestigious event and will surely be the tournament's top attraction.

His heavy top spins and turbo speed on court are always a spectacle for fans to savour. Even world number one Roger Federer has been tested to the limit whenever he has met the Spanish King of Clay.

It's widely known that Roddick is the fastest server ever to walk on the planet. Even a blink can deprive spectators of a glimpse of a Roddick rocket travelling as fast as 155mph.

His only participation in the tournament was in 2004 when he haplessly went down to Federer in two one-sided sets due to an injury.

Also committed to taking part this year are German stars Tommy Haas and Benjamin Becker, known as the last man to beat living legend Andre Agassi in his swansong at the US Open last year.

The Thailand Open is being held from September 22- 30 at Muang Thong Thani. Fans can get tickets at Thaiticketmajor outlets from July 21 or call 02-262-3456 or via www.thailandopen.org or www.thaiticketmajor.com.

Lerpong Amsa-ngiam

The Nation