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Published on November 24, 2007

The absence of Asia's top four players - No 51 Lee Hyung-taik of South Korea, No 103 Lu Yenhsun, No 146 Wang Yeutuzoo of Taiwan and No 148 Aisam Qureshi of Pakistan - is good news for Danai, making him the favourite to pocket the winner's cheque of US$50,000.

Their absence in a tournament meant for ATP's eight best-ranked players from this continent is a big blow for the organisers.

No 159 Danai will be the highest ranked player and will be challenged by opponents from outside the top 200 which include Denis Istomin and Farrukh Dustov of Uzbekistan, Im Kyutae of South Korea, Gouichi Motomura of Japan and Mohammed Ghreeb of Kuwait.

"The field is not strong but that does not mean it is going to be easy. There are many good players such as Motomura who always give me tough matches every time,'' said Danai who made a late decision to enter the competition after getting a green light from his agency.

"I am glad that I finally got the approval to play because I would like to win the King's Trophy and I always play well at home. Now that my performance is far from impressive, I need to regain my confidence by entering the home event,'' Danai said.

He claimed the World University Games gold medal three months ago and despite having to settle with the runners-up trophy with Tamarine Tanasugarn in the Asian Hopman Cup this month, he won all his ties.

Besides, the Thai No 1 will use the event as a tune-up for December's SEA Games in Nakhon Ratchasima, where he won the singles gold medal twice in 2001 and 2003.

"I want to find my momentum before the SEA Games. If I can find my form in the Asian Cup, I will play good tennis in the Games," he said.

Lerpong Amsangiam

 The Nation