Comeback ends in defeat for Juan Martin Del Potro

Juan Martin Del Potro's first competitive action since January ended in defeat to Olivier Rochus in the first round of the PTT Thailand Open yesterday.

The Argentinian, who had not played since the Australian Open due to a wrist injury, has fallen to 36th in the world rankings but was seeded fifth for the tournament in Bangkok.

But he ran into the Belgian in top form, Rochus finding the mark with 82% of first serves in an opening set which he took on a tie-break.

Del Potro managed a break in the second but he also dropped serve twice as Rochus completed a 7-6 (9/7) 6-4 win in an hour and 44 minutes.

"I played a good match," Del Potro said. "I had my chances in the first-set tiebreak and he played some great points. I'm just happy to be back on the circuit and I hope I get better and better. He played very well."

Del Potro was not the only seed eliminated, with eighth-seeded German Michael Berrer crashing to a 6-4 7-6 (7/4) loss to Spain's Guillermo Garcia-Lopez.

Home hope Danai Udomchoke was eliminated by Jarkko Nieminen, the Finn completing a routine 6-3 6-2 win in little over an hour.

Ruben Bemelmans joined compatriot Rochus in round two after a 6-2 6-3 win over Dane Frederik Nielsen, while there were also straight-sets wins for Israeli Dudi Sela - 6-3 6-4 over Russia's Konstantin Kravchuk - and Germany's Rainer Schuettler, who beat Ricardo Mello of Brazil 6-4 6-2.

Top-seeded Rafael Nadal will play his first match since winning the US Open and completing a career Grand Slam when he faces Bemelmans tomorrow.

"Winning my first ATP match is a great thing, and to get to play against Rafael Nadal in the second round is just an extra," said Bemelmans. "I will just go on court, enjoy the match and see what happens. I'll give everything I have on court and let's see what it will bring."

In the day's other match, Mikhail Kukushkin of Kazakhstan beat American qualifier Ryler Deheart 6-3 6-7 (4/7) 6-4.