Asian tennis star Paradorn Srichaphan of Thailand and fit-again Mark Philippoussis of Australia made flying starts in the season-opening ATP Indian Open in Madras on Tuesday.

Paradorn, who jumped more than a 100 places to finish the previous season ranked world number 16, continued the same form as he whipped Jan Vacek of the Czech Republic in straight sets.

The 23-year-old Thai, seeded second in the 400,000-dollar event here after being runners-up last year, won 7-5, 6-2.

Philippoussis, returning to the circuit after a four-month lay-off due to a knee injury sustained during the US Open in August, defeated qualifier Michael Kohlmann of Germany 7-6 (7/3), 6-3.

"It was not tense out there, but a win is a win and I am happy about that," said the Aussie, nicknamed 'Scud' for his missile-like serves.

"I am fit and taking it match by match. The important thing for me now is get back into the groove and be healthy."

Meanwhile, top-seeded and defending champion Guillermo Canas of Argentina survived anxious moments against the big-serving Dick Norman of Belgium before winning 4-6, 6-2, 6-3.

"It was a tough start in my first match of the season, especially against a player who served very well in the beginning," said Canas, ranked 15 in the world.

"But I think I played aggressively in the second and third sets and am very pleased to come out a winner."

The new season began badly for world number 26 Andrei Pavel, the fifth-seeded Romanian losing his first round match 3-6, 3-6 to qualifier Tomas Behrend of Germany.

Israel's Noam Okun, a last-minute entry after third-seed Sjeng Schalken of the Netherlands withdrew due to a wrist injury, made a winning start with a 7-5, 6-4 romp over Spaniard Juan Balcells.

In a double blow to France, Olivier Patience was knocked out by Dutchman John van Lottum in straight sets, while Michael Llorda lost in three sets to eighth seed Albert Montanes of Spain.

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