Home support helps Srichaphan down Henman
Tim Henman sent crashing by Paradorn Srichaphan
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Friday, 29, Sep 2006 10:00
Paradorn Srichaphan battled from a set down to see off Tim Henman and book his place in the semi-finals of this week's Thailand Open in Bangkok.
The eighth seed, cheered on by a raucous home crowd, won a tense match 6-7 (2/7) 6-4 7-6 (7/4) to end Henman's hopes of a much-needed run to the final.
It had all started so well for Britain's number two who won a tight opening set thanks to a one-sided tiebreak.
But Henman, who beat fellow Britons Andy Murray and Alex Bogdanovic en route to the last eight, was pegged back in the second as his Thai opponent found his range.
Powerful groundstrokes from Srichaphan saw him break a weary-looking Henman in the fifth game of the second set and although Henman battled back he lacked the decisive shot to regain a level standing.
A brilliant start to the third set for Henman saw him break to storm into a 3-0 lead and, at 5-2, the tide appeared to be firmly in his favour.
But a couple of nervy points saw the Briton relinquish his advantage as he served for the match, with Srichaphan breaking back before drawing level at 5-5.
Another tiebreak beckoned and this time it was Srichaphan who was playing with more self-assurance and his early minibreak set up a lead he refused to let go of.