Srichaphan Beats Johansson To Win Nottingham Open

[huski]

Srichaphan beats Johansson to win Nottingham Open

June 19, 2004

NOTTINGHAM, England (Ticker) - Thailand's Paradorn Srichaphan won his first grasscourt title at the Nottingham Open on Saturday with an amazing comeback against Sweden's Thomas Johansson.

The top seed, Srichaphan rallied for a 1-6, 7-6 (7-4), 6-3 victory after losing the first set in just 20 minutes and trailing 4-1 in the second.

"It's a dream to come back and win the match because he was playing really well in the beginning," said Srichaphan, who earned $66,360 for his his fifth career title. "I thought about the final I played in Washington in 2002 against James Blake when I won the first set, 6-1, and was a break up in the second but lost the match, and I just tried to make the turn around like that match."

Srichaphan now has just one day off before playing his first round match at Wimbledon, where he will face Ivo Karlovic, the 6-10 Croatian who defeated defending champion Lleyton Hewitt in the first round last year.

"I don't think I am ready to win a Grand Slam yet," admitted Srichaphan, who reached the fourth round at the All England Club last year and beat Andre Agassi in the second round in 2002.

"I have to play more consistently because in a Grand Slam you have to play two weeks of tennis and best-of-five-set matches. My goal is always to reach the second week and if you win one more match you are in the quarterfinals."

Johansson, who is in the same section of the draw as Srichaphan, faces Germany's Nicolas Kiefer on Monday.

"I played well the whole week and I was just a little bit unlucky," the Swede said. "All credit to Paradorn, he lifted his game up when I was serving for the match and played a good breaker, and in the third set he was the better player.

"On grass everything can happen. If you lose concentration and the other guy plays well it's tough to get it back."

The start of the match was delayed by rain but the players were greeted by bright sunshine when they took to the court an hour behind schedule.

It was the first time the top seed had reached the final, but Srichaphan looked anything but as he was completely outplayed in the opening set.

Johansson had not reached a final since winning the Australian Open in January 2002, missing all of tlast year with a knee injury. He had even been forced to win three rounds of qualifying here despite being a former winner.

The match looked over when Johansson served at 5-3 in the second set, but Srichaphan broke back and took the set in a tiebreaker. In the deciding set, Srichaphan broke for a 3-1 lead and held on for the win.

[john b good]

Srichaphan is one of the great Thais and is a credit to his country.

Along with Tamarine they are both icons of Thailand and of the image that Thailand seeks to portray to the world.

They both do more to promote Thailand to the world than all of the "wanna be's" who are unfortuanately in the ascendency here in Thailand.

They are both very worthy ambassadors of the country with their humble persona's.

It's just a pity that more Thais do not make efforts to emulate the character and persona of these two.

The "head waiter" and more of the "everything for myself" people in Thailand

should take a leaf from their books and demonstrate to the world that the Thai culture of "hen gatua" is on the way out.

But don't hold your breath. Thailand and it's people will sit back and enjoy the laurels that Srichaphan and Tammy bring.

Neither of these two has received anything much from Thailand "they have done it on their own"

Good luck at Wimbledon.

And my congratulations to him (them both) on his/their achievements.

[huski]

Good luck at Wimbledon.

And my congratulations to him (them both) on his/their achievements.

Yes, good luck at Wimbledon !!!!!!!!

Maybe the high from winning the other day will carry him mentally now.

Paradorn Srichaphan

[bonsaimax]

Isn't it nice to hear something positive for a change? Thais have to show more appreciation for his efforts. Like conferring him an honorary Ph.D. a la Tiger Woods.

[Begs]

It's just a pity that more Thais do not make efforts to emulate the character and persona of these two.

Yea, Thai people should act better............... I mean the Farangs in Thailand are so well behaved and the Thais should look up to the esteemed gentlemen that arrive daily to exploit Thai women and generally walk round Thailand like they own the place...................

Who do the Thais think they are? Farangs?

You should go back home mate, you have to be a Brit, your moaning gives you away.

[bartender100]

He's 80-1 to lift the title,not a bad bet(if we were allowed),but the first round is going to be tough

[john b good]

It's just a pity that more Thais do not make efforts to emulate the character and persona of these two.

Yea, Thai people should act better............... I mean the Farangs in Thailand are so well behaved and the Thais should look up to the esteemed gentlemen that arrive daily to exploit Thai women and generally walk round Thailand like they own the place...................

Who do the Thais think they are? Farangs?

You should go back home mate, you have to be a Brit, your moaning gives you away.

You're wrong on all counts chum.

I'm so far from being a POM, "prisoner of the motherland" but then you wouldn't really know if someone was up you.

Don't even tell me. You are not one of these world saving yanks are you.

[Begs]

Hahaha, Mate, you could not be more wrong...

[john b good]

Hahaha, Mate, you could not be more wrong...

I know where ya from (leastaways I think I know) I had the operation myself some years back................

It's not Ceedny is it??

[Pink Mist]

The thread should finish now, Paradorn is out,1 st round.

[Begs]

He's 80-1 to lift the title,not a bad bet(if we were allowed),but the first round is going to be tough

Bartender, you was right!