Published on Aug 29, 2004

[TENNIS] Gritty Thai star Danai Udomchoke finally fulfilled his dream of reaching the main draw of a Grand Slam on Friday by upsetting 23rd-seeded Jan Vacek of the Czech Republic in the final qualifying round of the US Open.

Danai showed determination and consistency to manage a break in each set, which was enough to send him through with a 6-4 7-5 victory to earn him an appearance in a Grand Slam main draw for the first time since turning pro seven years ago.

The world No 181 became the fourth Thai to make it into a Grand Slam main draw. His predecessors are Kasom Jatikawanich, Tamarine Tanasugarn and Paradorn Srichaphan.

“I’m very proud and happy to be the fourth Thai in a Slam main draw. All the tough training that I have been through is paying off,’’ said the 23-year-old, who nearly qualified for this year’s Wimbledon but fell to Christopher Rochus of Belgium in five marathon sets.

Danai said luck was on his side as he almost bowed out in his first and the second qualifying matches when second-seeded Gilles Muller of Luxembourg and Frank Dansevic of Canada were both serving for the match at 5-3 against him.

“I came close to losing in the first two rounds, but somehow I was really lucky to survive those matches. I put up a fight and never gave up to pull off those victories.”

The Thai came back to stun world No 82 Muller, who tamed Andre Agassi a week ago in the Legg Mason Classic 1-6 7-6 (7-5) 6-2, and he did the same to Dansevic, winning 5-7 7-6 (7-3) 6-4.

“I tried to move him around as much as possible because he is a big guy and didn’t move fast,’’ said Danai, who faces his toughest challenge in the main draw first round against 18th-seeded Tommy Robredo of Spain in a couple of days.

“I have never seen him play on hard courts but he has a big forehand,” said the Thai.