The Nottingham Open presented by The Sunday Telegraph has a new champion. Paradorn Srichaphan, who celebrated his 25th birthday on the first day of this year’s tournament, staged a spirited and sensational fight back over his Swedish opponent to win his first ever grass court tournament 1-6, 7-6 (4), 6-3 and first ATP title since Long Island in 2003. Srichaphan becomes the first No. 1 seed to win The Nottingham Open presented by The Sunday Telegraph in its 10 year history.

Srichaphan (THAI) and his opponent, Thomas Johansson (SWE) captivated the capacity crowd on centre court. All 3232 spectators (and the millions of viewers watching live on Sky TV) were treated to an impressive display of singles tennis as the world number 14 from Thailand exchanged powerful shots from the baseline with Johansson, the 2001 Nottingham Open champion and 2002 Australian Open champion. In 2002, when the players last played each other, Srichaphan had triumphed in their singles match at the Chennai Open, winning 4-6, 6-3, 6-2.

After rain disrupted the start until 2.30pm, Srichaphan took the first game of the match on his serve with Johansson, aiming to be the first qualifier to win the tournament, taking the next game on his own serve. However, the power of the Johansson backhand coupled with unforced errors on serve by Srichaphan saw the Swede leading 4-1 in the first set after only 15mins of play. Five minutes later Johansson had taken the first set 6-1. The 29 year-old Swede, who missed almost the entire 2003 tennis season due to a serious knee injury, maintained a ferocious tempo against Srichaphan. However, with Johansson 1-0 and 40-30 up in the second game of the second set, Srichaphan cracked two excellent shots including an ace on serve to gain a foothold in the match. Johansson took the next to lead 2-1 in the second set after 40mins of play. Serving, Srichaphan then produced two double faults in the next game to quickly be 3-1 down and Johansson then advanced to 4-1 on serve. Johansson was making few unforced errors and maintaining relentless pressure on the Thai.

However, with the match looking close to its conclusion, Srichaphan then produced a hot streak in his play to break Johansson’s serve, and within fifteen minutes take the second set to 5-5. Both players took the next two games on their own serve to take the match to 6-6 in the second set. Johansson won the next game on serve. By the start of a tense tie-break, Srichaphan had finally warmed to his task and in a spirited display was putting pressure on the Swede who only 20mins earlier had been serving for the title and the 51,400 Euro winners cheque. At 4-4 in the second set tie-break, a driving shot from the baseline put the Thai 5-4 ahead. Serving with real venom, Srichaphan increasingly came into the match and it was Johansson who then made an uncharacteristic unforced error to give Paradorn a deserved second set 7-6 (4). An appreciative packed gallery applauded the fight back of the Thai and the sensational tennis on display.

In the third and final set, both players took their service games. Srichaphan took the next game on serve to lead 2-1 in the final set and then broke Johansson’s serve to lead 3-1. At 5-2 for Srichaphan, the increasingly confident Thai looked on course to victory. However, Johansson saved the next match on serve but with the match at 5-3, Srichaphan then came out to serve for the match. A strong serve and brief rally saw Johansson hit the net with his return and after 1hr and 53 minutes of gripping tennis, Paradorn Srichaphan sank to his knees as the new Nottingham Open champion.

A smiling Srichaphan said at the post match press conference: “It’s like a dream to come back and win the match (after losing the first 1-6) because he was playing really well at the beginning and his returning was very good. I just tried to hold my serve (in the second) and play the tie-breaker … I would love to and think I will (return next year) to defend my title before the grand Slam (Wimbledon). I always like to come back to play the tournaments that I’ve won.”

The runner-up, Thomas Johansson (SWE) said: “Yes, everything was looking good (for me) until 6-1, 5-2 and then all of a sudden I lost a little bit of concentration and Paradorn started to play really well and he stopped making unforced errors and started to serve a lot better. It’s all credit to him … it’s a good effort to turn this match around.”

Quotes of the tournament

Paradorn Srichaphan
(His thoughts at 3-5 (30-0) down in the second set: “I just thought that this is going to be a quick day (defeat) for me; maybe this is not to be my day.”
Paradorn Srichaphan
“I will return to London today because I’m playing at Wimbledon on Monday.”
Paradorn Srichaphan
“My draw (at Wimbledon) is pretty tough and I’ll just try to play one match by one match.”
Paradorn Srichaphan
(Who will win Wimbledon this year?) “Me, I don’t know – I’m not ready yet to win a Grand Slam but inside of me I would love to. I have to play more consistently to win the Grand Slams … it’s not easy but my goal for Grand Slams is always to play the second week.”