Wattana through after scare

James Wattana is now ranked only 39th in the world

James Wattana narrowly avoided defeat in the first round of the Thailand Open at the hands of Robin Hull.

Wattana, who has slipped from a high of third in the world rankings to his current rating of 39th, squeezed through 5-4.

"Every match here is like climbing a mountain. It's so challenging and intimidating," said Wattana, winner of the event in 1994 and 1995.

"You have to play so well to survive any match now. I was just pleased I got through in the end," added the 32-year-old.

Hull, a former world Under-21 champion from Helsinki, was clearly nervous, and managed a highest run of only 34 during the first five frames.

It's a long way to come and get beaten in the first round of both tournaments

Alan McManus

But he fought back from 4-1 down to force a decider.

Hull also had a gilt-edged opportunity in the all important ninth frame but he missed a straightforward red to a corner and, Wattana took his opportunity.

Peter Ebdon and Alan McManus, like Wattana both former Thailand Open champions, eased into the last 16.

McManus, the winner in 1996, bounced back from a 5-0 whitewash by Steve Davis in last week's China Open to cruise past Lee Walker 5-1.

While Ebdon, a winner in 1997, had little trouble on the way to beating Stuart Pettman 5-1.

"I was up for the game because it's a long way to come and get beaten in the first round of both tournaments," said McManus, who now faces Barry Hawkins or Stephen Hendry.

"My performance in Shanghai was atrocious and if I'd lost here as well I'd have been on a massive downer for weeks."