Srichaphan rips win from Henman's hands in late charge

Tim Henman's hopes of returning to the world's top 32 in time to be seeded for the Australian Open in January suffered a setback in Bangkok yesterday with defeat by Paradorn Srichaphan in the quarter-finals of the Thailand Open.

The world No 59, who had beaten his fellow Britons Andy Murray and Alex Bogdanovic in the first two rounds, lost 7-6, 4-6, 6-7 after leading 5-2 in the final set. Srichaphan clawed his way back and the Thai won the decisive tie-break 7-4.

Henman had played a fine tie-break to take the first set against the world No 41, who had lost six of his seven previous matches against the Briton. But Srichaphan improved in the second set and refused to buckle after Henman had apparently taken a grip on the third.

The British No 14, James Auckland, playing in Mumbai, also fell in the quarter-finals, beaten by Dmitry Tursunov. The 26-year-old world No 414 had fought his way through qualifying to earn a place in the main singles draw of an ATP tournament for the first time and went on to defeat Frank Moser (the world No 424) and Wesley Moodie (73).

Auckland, who took a set off Tursunov before losing 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 to the world No 22, is through to the doubles semi-finals in Mumbai alongside Jamie Delgado. The Britons next play the Indians Rohan Bopana and Mustafe Ghouse.