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Published on November 1, 2007

His previous quarter-final berth was in a Challenger in Durban, South Africa, in January. Since then, the Thai No 1 has bowed out either in the first round or the second.

"He made many mistakes; That's why the score looked easy," said Danai, whose ranking slipped to 132 this week. He meets another German, Bjorn Phau, in the quarter-final.

"He has a good backhand and he runs fast. My plan is to attack his forehand, which is his weak point,'' said Danai who, along with Im Kyu-tae of South Korea beat China's Yu Xin-yuan and Zeng Shao-xuan 5-7 6-2 10-6 in the doubles first round.

In Taiwan's $50,000  Taoyuan Challenger, third-seeded Tamarine Tanasugarn pulled out of a match against Sacha Jones of New Zealand after an injured right-ankle made it difficult for her to continue play at 5-7 1-4.

The injury could affect the prospects of Thailand in next week's Asian Hopman Cup, where she will be pairing up with Danai Udomchoke.

Meanwhile, two other Thais prevailed in the first round. Qualifier Nungnadda Wannasuk extended her run by easing past Taiwanese qualifier Chen Yi 6-4 6-0 while Nudnida Luangnam blanked Taiwanese Chan Hao-ching 6-0 6-0.

Robredo, Haas advance  Tommy Robredo and Tommy Haas were taken to three sets before winning their second-round matches at the Paris Masters and keeping alive their hopes of qualifying for the Masters Cup.

Spain's Robredo saved four break points in the third set before beating France's Gilles Simon 6-4 2-6 6-4, and Germany's Haas beat Serbia's Janko Tipsarevic 6-3 6-7 (5-7), 6-3. The last two open spots in the eight-man Masters Cup will be filled this week in Paris.

The Nation