MADRID (AFP) - David Nalbandian dominated Paradorn Srichaphan 6-3, 6-1 in the third round of the 2.425-million-euro Madrid Masters.
The fourth seed crushed the hopes of Asia's best player, leaving Paradorn still seven victories short of the record-setting 50 in a season he's aiming to achieve.
With an exit in Madrid and a failure to duplicate his quarter-final showings from the past two seasons, the Bangkok 16th seed has only next week in Basel and the concluding Masters Series at Paris Bercy in which to fulfill his dream.
Nalbandian, whose only title this season came at the Rome event in May, never let Paradorn into the match as he earned his 28th win of an injury-plagued season.
Britain's top seed Tim Henman fears the onset of an energy crisis after crashing out with little left in the tank in a 6-4, 4-6, 6-2 loss to Ivan Ljubicic.
Henman admitted that he feels as weak as he did at Roland Garros where he somehow battled through a virus to reach an unprecedented semi-final on clay.
The usually calm gentleman of the court blamed frustration with his physical form for an uncharacteristic late-match racket-toss as he went down to defeat in just under two hours.
"I unfortunately don't feel good physically again," said the 30-year-old, an expectant father for the second time.
"After a couple of days here, I felt similar to Roland Garros.
"I had a blood test Wednesday night and am waiting to see what the results are. I take my physical condition for granted, I've always worked hard in that area."
The Briton was given the top seeding this week due to the absence of the world's first four top ranked players - Roger Federer, Andy Roddick, Guillermo Coria and Lleyton Hewitt.
The bitter loss was the third in four meetings for Henman against Ljubicic, who improved to 33-21 on the season.
"From the waist up, I feel fine, but I don't have any energy. And playing indoors in these type of conditions is not that physically demanding.
"After four or five games, I felt tired, I competed hard and gave it everything I had. It's frustrating to come into the tournament and start suffering."
Swedish outsider, Joachim Johansson, the seventh-seeded U.S.Open semi-finalist, moved into the last eight over Anthony Dupuis 6-1, 7-6 (8/6). The 22-year-old made his winning point with 21 aces and next faces Ljubicic.
Eighth seed Tommy Robredo maintained Spanish honour as the last home hope standing, advanced over compatriot Fernando Verdasco 2-6, 6-4, 6-3.
American Taylor Dent reached his second quarter-final in three weeks with a defeat of German Tommy Haas 7-6 (7/3), 6-2.
Second seed Andre Agassi was to face fellow American Vince Spadea while number three Marat Safin was taking on Stefan Koubek.
Meanwhile with tennis officialdom unable to find a way to reduce what is nearly a year-round season, major players have taken the decision-making into their own hands.
With three weeks to go in the regular ATP campaign, the result is the absence of the top four players here in Madrid.
For second seed Andre Agassi, now the biggest name still alive after Henman's defeat, the decision to opt for self-preservation is a no-brainer for most leading competitors.
"Every top player's agenda is to keep themselves at their best for a sport that demands your best so many different times through the year," said the superbly-fit 34-year-old Agassi who limits his own appearances to those which he feel really count.
"It's an ongoing balancing act to make the best decisions possible for yourself."
10-21-2004, 19h14