• 
• 

Published on February 13, 2008

Team supervisor Major Gen Phitsanu Atthakornsiripo hopes the ailing tennis star will recover in time for the crucial tie, which will ensure a slot in the World Group play-offs. Paradorn is recovering from tendonitis in his right wrist which has kept him away from the circuit since last March.

"Against a big team like Australia, which has Lleyton Hewitt and Chris Guccione, we need Paradorn. He is trying to get in shape and hopefully he can make it to the team,'' said Phitsanu, upon his arrival from Kazakhstan, where the Thais beat the hosts 3-2.

The tie will be played from April 11-13. The current team of Danai Udomchoke, Sonchat and Sanchai Ratiwatana and Weerapat Doakmaiklee has been retained.

Thailand have reached the elite group four times since 2002. The last time was in Dusseldorf, in 2006, where they went down to Germany 1-4.

Meanwhile, in Nonthaburi, two Thai players crashed out in the first round of the US$10,000 Thailand Men's Futures 1.

Weerapat lost to Swiss Mathieu Guenat 3-6 3-6 while Kittiphong Wachiramanowong easily surrendered to Adam Kellner from Hungary 1-6 2-6.

Lerpong Amsa-ngiam

The Nation