BMW Open: Paradorn loses in first round

Munich: Juan Monaco of Argentina knocked out sixth-seeded Paradorn Srichaphan of Thailand 6-4, 6-4 in the first round of the BMW Open on Monday. Monaco ended a four-match losing streak since February on reaching the semifinals at Costa do Sauipe, Brazil. For Paradorn, he was yet to win on clay this season following first-round defeats in Monte Carlo and Barcelona. It was also a first win on clay for Robin Vik of the Czech Republic, who downed Rainer Schuettler 7-6 (5), 4-6, 6-3 when the German ran out of energy. Schuettler, a former world No. 5 and tournament finalist, was coming back from retiring in Houston three weeks ago with food poisoning. The first-round loss was his fifth in nine events this year. Jan Hernych of the Czech Republic beat German wild card Andreas Beck 7-6 (3), 4-6, 6-4, rallying from 4-0 down in the final set; and Belgium's Kristof Vliegen beat Serbia-Montenegro's Janko Tipsarevic 5-7, 6-2, 6-4. Guillermo Coria is the No. 1 seeded player. (AP)