Early exit for Paradorn

Thailand's Paradorn Srichaphan slices backhand against Belgium's Olivier Rochus at the BMW Open in Munich on April 27. PHOTO: AFP

Thailand tennis star Paradorn Srichapan was the major casualty here on the second day of the 375,750 euro (444,450 dollars) BMW Open as the second seed was beaten 6-3, 6-2 by Belgium's Olivier Rochus.

It was the second successive first round loss for the 24-year-old, who never looked like justifying his seeding.

Earlier rejuvenated German tennis star Tommy Haas set up a tantalising second round clash with compatriot and top seed Rainer Schuettler after both won their opening matches.

Wildcard Haas, 26, built on his victory in the ATP tournament in Houston to dispose of Czech Bohdan Ulihrach 6-3, 6-2 and the former World No.2 believes he is nearing the form that took him to the final in Munich back in 2000.

"I had doubts about whether I could play at this level again," admitted Haas. "But I am on my way back to my best form again."

Monte Carlo finalist Schuettler needed all his resolve to defeat 19-year-old Swede Robin Soderling 6-4, 7-6 and set up the all-German showdown.

"It is a shame that we are meeting so soon," admitted 28-year-old Schuettler.

"But at least there will be a German player in the quarter-final."

Schuettler had tasted defeat against Soderling in the first round of the Australian Open but exacted revenge for that loss - although it was far from easy.

After taking the first set 6-4 Schuettler had four match points when 5-4 up in the second set but Soderling broke back and went to a tie-break.

A tightly-contested tiebreak eventually went Schuettler's way as he showed his greater experience to triumph 7-5 over his teenage opponent.

Former Wimbledon champion Goran Ivanesevic, 32, exited the tournament at the first hurdle with German qualifier Alexander Waske winning 6-4, 7-6.

Waske, 29, used the home support to take the first set 6-4 but Ivanesevic found his booming serve in the second set to take the match into a tie-break.

However, wild card Ivanisevic fell to pieces as Waske whitewashed him 7-0 in the tie-break to move into the second round.

The fiery Croat thumped his racket off the ground and let out some trademark outbursts as his shots continued to find the middle of the net.