Undead Drew Barrymore visits Bangkok

ศาสตร์เกษตรดินปุ๋ย : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/event/30340927

Undead Drew Barrymore visits Bangkok

event March 14, 2018 18:00

By The Nation

5,533 Viewed

Drew Barrymore and Timothy Olyphant, stars of the American horrorcomedy TV series “Santa Clarita Diet”, were on the red carpet at Siam Paragon in Bangkok yesterday (March 13) as Netflix Original Series previewed Season 2.

Fans of the Hollywood stars filled the mall’s Fashion Hall and were impressed by how friendly they seemed.

Barrymore, who plays an adorable zombie named Sheila, said she’d always wanted to come to Thailand and adores the cuisine. Olyphant, who plays Joel, meanwhile showed off a great sense of humour.

In “Santa Clarita Diet”, Joel and Sheila are husband and wife realtors leading vaguely discontented lives in the LA suburb of the title with their teenage daughter Abby (Liv Hewson).

Then Sheila goes through a dramatic change, sending their lives down a road of death and destruction – but in a good way.

Season 2 finds the Hammonds trying to adapt to Sheila’s nowadvanced undead state, even though she’s desperately clinging to her suburban lifestyle. She refuses to be defined as just another monster.

Unfortunately, while the family has become markedly better at murder, the number of missing people in Santa Clarita is starting to pile up and it’s no longer going unnoticed.

Meanwhile, the Hammonds are chasing the source of the virus so they can stop it from spreading and save humanity. Through it all, Sheila and Joel are grounded by their unconditional love for one another. Sure, being undead or loving someone who’s dead isn’t always easy, but don’t all relationships have their challenges?

Netflix claims more than 117 million members in 190 countries, who enjoy 140 million hours of TV shows and movies per day, including original series, documentaries and feature films.

Members can watch as much as they want, anytime, anywhere, on nearly any Internetconnected screen. Members can play, pause and resume watching, all without commercials or commitments.

For more on “Santa Clarita Diet”, visit Facebook // SantaClaritaDiet, Twitter // @SCDiet and Netflix.com/santaclaritadiet

Travel Mart sails into Pattaya

ศาสตร์เกษตรดินปุ๋ย : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/event/30340751

Travel Mart sails into Pattaya

event March 14, 2018 01:00

By THE NATION

5,411 Viewed

The Ocean Marina Yacht Club in Pattaya moves into the spotlight as a new destination for Thailand Travel Mart Plus Amazing Gateway to the Greater Mekong Subregion 2018.

The event takes place from June 13-15 on the theme “A Million Shades of Romance.”

“Thailand offers a wide array of attractions for luxury and romantic travel. It features a rich culture and history, wonderful nature, pristine beaches, fantastic cuisine, a full range of tourism-related amenities and accommodation with experienced and innovative service personnel, and most importantly, the hospitality of the Thai people. All these factors come together to make Thailand a great destination to personalise and fulfil any couple’s dream of a romantic destination,” said Yuthasak Supasorn, governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand.

 

With Pattaya’s knack for adding new activities and attractions, and reinventing or modernising existing ones, the destination is a fine example of the concept behind the TAT’s latest communication concept of Amazing Thailand’s “Open to the New Shades”. The concept encourages tourists to explore the many different facets of Thailand such as gastronomy tourism, arts and crafts, culture and unique ways of life, by discovering new attractions for the first time and rediscovering existing attractions from a new perspective.

 

It is also in line with the strategy to shift Thailand’s tourism industry away from the mass market to the niche market, especially high-spending, long-staying travellers. Pre and post tours will focus on Rayong, Chanthaburi and Trat provinces and the neighbouring GMS country of Cambodia, which borders Trat province and is easily accessible by both road and sea.

Register for the event online before April 10 at http://www.ThailandTravelMartPlus.com.

Pan-Asian paper show comes to Bangkok

ศาสตร์เกษตรดินปุ๋ย : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/event/30340746

Pan-Asian paper show comes to Bangkok

event March 12, 2018 14:00

By The Nation

3,344 Viewed

The first pan-Asian event of its kind, the upcoming Asian Paper & Tissue World Bangkok 2018 will bringing together product makers and suppliers of the pulp, paper, tissue and packaging industries from around the world to Bitec Bangna during June 6-8.

With the help of UBM Singapore, the event will welcome a large pool of visitors and exhibitors, thereby creating a range of valuable business opportunities for guests. Attracting everyone from product makers of packaging, paper, pulp, tissue and jumbo rolls, converters, retailers and distributors, to suppliers of paper making machinery, drying technologies, process automation and control, chemicals and many more, Asian Paper & Tissue World Bangkok is the place to meet and connect with all leading industry players.

Apart from offering valuable networking opportunities, this event will also focus on strategies for long-term growth in paper, packaging and tissue by exploring how paper’s trajectory can be optimised to save costs and ensure the industry’s sustainability.

This trade show also includes a high-level management symposium, titled “Shaping Success: Strategies for Sustainable Growth in Paper, Packaging and Tissue” featuring leading speakers who will share their vision of successful machine conversions, paper, paperboard and tissue markets, trends and outlooks, current and future demand drivers for fibre and cutting-edge case studies. They include Valmet (Thailand), Industry Edge (Australia), P?yry (Finland) and Euromonitor (Singapore).

New applied technology sessions will also be organised including “Reducing water usage in ECF bleaching for sustainable pulp production” and “Nanotechnology for formation and control of harsh environments”, which will cover innovations and case studies about topics ranging from fibres and sustainability, through process-enhancing solutions and cost-saving upgrades. They will be led by speakers from Klabin (Brazil), ABB (Finland), FL Smidth (Denmark) and Akzo Nobel (Sweden).

“We are thrilled to be hosting the Asian Paper and Tissue World 2018 in Bangkok for the first time this year. Bringing together more than 20 years of experience and connections from two of the industry’s major global players will make this an event unlike any the paper and tissue sector has ever seen. We thank our local and international partners who have helped make this trade show possible and are looking forward to welcoming international guests to Bangkok in June,” says Agnes Gehot, deputy event director of Asian Paper & Tissue World, UBM Exhibition Singapore.

Find out more at http://www.AsianPaperShow.com.

“Ladies” have a lark

ศาสตร์เกษตรดินปุ๋ย : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/event/30340190

“Ladies” have a lark

event March 05, 2018 09:00

By The Nation

4,671 Viewed

Kim Chi and Naomi Smalls from RuPaul’s Drag Race will be bringing their hilarious comedy and lip-sync show Bangkok’s KBank Siam Pic-Ganesha Theatre this Friday (March 9) at 8pm.

Best known as the two of the Top 3 finalists from Season 8 of the widely popular drag queen competition show, “RuPaul’s Drag Race”, both queens have since left their mark on the competition with their distinct styles.

Kim Chi is a live-action anime character and high-fashion model. Born in the US, raised in South Korea, and currently based in Chicago, Kim is a cultural hybrid with a preternatural understanding of style and conceptual fashion. She deftly absorbs and interprets our contemporary cultural milieu with unflinching focus. An ever-evolving chameleon, Kim never fails to surprise and delight with her larger than life looks and her high standard of work.

Her drag career started in November 2012. Joined by a team of creative visionaries, she quickly blossomed into a fixture of the Chicago drag scene. Kim started working with party-production company Neverland in 2012, becoming the Chicago-based party’s main host. Kim has been invited to perform in numerous locations across the US.

Kim’s work encapsulates the transcendental nature of drag, as the seemingly simple act of a man putting on a dress is transformed into fine art.

Naomi Smalls is a glamazon, inspired by 90’s supermodels, pop culture and fashion. Her name hails from the edginess of Naomi Campbell coupled with the freshness of Biggie Smalls. As a fashion-obsessed teenager who followed Thierry Mugler, Jean Paul Gaultier, and V Magazine, Naomi entered her first drag competition at 340 nightclub. After several months of attempts she finally won the competition, gaining the confidence that she could go further with her drag.

Born Davis Heppenstall in Redlands, California, Naomi has had to travel to LA or Riverside to perform, due to the lack of a drag scene at home. She describes herself as “bubbly but very chill”, and treats everyone as she’d want to be treated. She has an enormous family of 11 brothers and sisters, so she learned early how to cope with teasing and shade-throwing!

Tickets costing from Bt1,500 to Bt3,000 are on sale at Thai Ticket Major counters and online at http://www.ThaiTicketMajor.com.

‘Big Talk’ gets down to brass tacks

ศาสตร์เกษตรดินปุ๋ย : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/event/30339951

‘Big Talk’ gets down to brass tacks

event March 02, 2018 01:00

By The Nation

5,329 Viewed

If money weren’t an issue, how would you be spending your time? What new thing did you try recently and enjoy?

These little head-scratchers are among the questions that will be circulating at the first “Big Talk” to be held in Bangkok.

The session, taking place on March 14 at the Hive co-working space on Sukhumvit Soi 49, is billed as “End of Small Talk: Bangkok Big Talk”. Bnow.org, a Bangkok-based social enterprise whose mission is to link and inspire people, is the organiser.

Bnow founder Pacharee Pantoomano explains that Big Talk is a social experiment (and video project) that Kalina Silverman launched in the United States in 2014. She wanted to see what would happen if she skipped mundane small talk and plunged right into deeper topics of conversation.

The emotional stories that people shared with Silverman inspired her to work on making Big Talk a global movement.

“The idea resonated with me,” says Pacharee. “I was so inspired by the impact it’s had in communities around the world and how it connects strangers that I decided to try it in my city.”

The questions are universal, open-ended and, above all, meaningful. They dig for more than just a yes or no response.

The evening will begin with two Bangkok-based “life coaches” explaining the benefits of Big Talk and why it should become part of our daily lives. Then the attendees will split up into smaller groups, each drawing a card bearing a question and sharing their answers.

The coaches are Alessandra Marazzi, a “mindfulness educator” and entrepreneur and the founder and programme creator at TheResiliencePath.com, and Ann Wiame, founder of StandCoach.com and a trained teacher in MMS (motivation management service).

“By comparing ‘big talk’ and ‘small talk’, we question where we intentionally put our attention and how we redirect the flow of energy,” says Marazzi. “If big talk means we consciously direct our energies towards meaningful exchanges, with the intention of getting closer to each other, it can be transformational.”

Wiame says big talk requires “bravery”.

“With big talk, we can have true conversations with ourselves or others. There may be some embarrassment when sharing answers, but this humbling feeling provides the possibility to connect with ourselves and others.”

Bnow.org has been around since 2003, begun by a group of friends and professionals seeking to make a difference in the community. It supports start-up and SME entrepreneurs and annually distributes awards for the best in Thailand.

“Bangkok Big Talk” starts at 6.30pm on March 14 in the Hive’s sixth-floor Rooftop Garden.

Tickets cost Bt350 at Eventbrite.com until March 13 and Bt500 at the door. The price includes a snack box.

Find out more from info@bnow.org, (02) 105 4217 and http://www.Bnow.org.

Reducing the social and economic costs of diabetes

ศาสตร์เกษตรดินปุ๋ย : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/event/30339950

  • From left, Dr Wannee Nitiyanun and Punya Kitchareonkarnkul

Reducing the social and economic costs of diabetes

event March 01, 2018 15:00

By The Nation

5,254 Viewed

The Diabetes Association of Thailand under the patronage of HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn recently joined with Merck Thailand to mark World Diabetes Day with an event titled “Healthy Women, Healthy Families, Healthy Living”.

Activities included a four-kilometre run-walk, a seminar that explained the disease and its prevention, especially in women and free health check-up and screening for diabetes risk factors.

All proceeds after deducting expenses were donated to help support children with Type 1 diabetes in the care of Diabetes Association of Thailand.

Statistics show that more than 199 million women are now suffering from diabetes and so the importance of personal health care and diet is becoming increasingly important.

“The current rate of women with diabetes is getting higher, especially in those who are overweight or obese,” said Dr Wannee Nitiyanun, president of the Diabetes Association of Thailand.

“Women are at greater risk for diabetes than men because of their physique, eating habits and lack of exercise. The risk of diabetes increases during pregnancy if the mother doesn’t take good care of herself. In some cases, the risk continues even after childbirth, while there is a chance of diabetes returning within 5 to 10 years. The first 24 weeks of pregnancy put women at higher risk due to the development of placenta, which involves an increase in hormone production causing insulin resistance. Other risk factors include genetics, being overweight and history of abnormal pregnancy or miscarriage. It is important to have regular check-ups for gestational diabetes and always follow the doctor’s instructions. Moreover, women are also more likely to develop ovarian cysts, which also can cause insulin resistance. These are the factors that make women more vulnerable to diabetes than men.”

A survey of Thai people’s health revealed that between 2009 and 2014, the number of diabetics rose by an average of 200,000 each year. It also showed that the new generation has a higher risk of becoming diabetic due to poor lifestyle choices.

The occasion of World Diabetes Day was therefore used to emphasise the importance of women’s role in the prevention of diabetes for themselves and their families as the person who oversees the wellbeing and diet of the whole family. They also play an important role in reducing the cost and burden on government in taking care of diabetic patients.

“We hope this event will help raise awareness and prevention of the disease. The campaign is aiming to help people, especially women and their families to take care of their health while also benefiting diabetic patients, especially children with this disease,” said Punya Kitchareonkarnkul, managing director of Merck Thailand.

Brazil midfielder Fabinho to join Liverpool: official

ศาสตร์เกษตรดินปุ๋ย : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/sports/30346498

 Brazilian defender Fabinho
Brazilian defender Fabinho

Brazil midfielder Fabinho to join Liverpool: official

sports May 29, 2018 09:10

By AFP

Monaco midfielder Fabinho will join Liverpool following the World Cup finals in Russia, the French Ligue 1 club and the Premier League giants announced Monday.

Brazilian international Fabinho, 24, had agreed at the end of last year’s title-winning campaign to remain one more season in the Principality.

But agreement has now been reached with the Premier League club that will see Fabinho join the Reds after the finals in Russia.

No financial details were given by either club, although some reports claim the deal is worth £44m ($58m US).

“AS Monaco has reached agreement with Liverpool for the transfer of Fabinho to the English club on July 1,” said a statement on http://www.asmonaco.com.

Usually deployed as a defensive midfielder, Fabinho has scored 31 goals in 233 appearances for Monaco since arriving at the club in 2013 from Real Madrid, winning the French league title in 2017.

Liverpool, looking to bolster their squad following a great season in which the Anfield giants reached the Champions League final, only to suffer a 3-1 defeat to Real Madrid, confirmed the deal on their website.

“Liverpool Football Club can confirm a deal has been agreed for the transfer of Fabinho from AS Monaco,” said a statement.

“The Brazil midfielder will formally seal a switch to the Reds on July 1 after successfully completing a medical and finalising terms on a long-term contract at Melwood.”

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp was quick to show his excitement at the signing.

“We have signed a fantastic player, but someone who is an equally fantastic person I think,” the manager told Liverpoolfc.com.

“His reputation as a character in the dressing room and his attitude in training has come through from everyone we speak to.

“He has the ability and mentality to play at the highest level in a number of positions. He can play ‘6’, ‘8’ and ‘2’. This is cool.

“He is tactically very strong and football smart. I think he improves our squad and there aren’t that many players you can say that about in this moment, because the quality we have already is so high.

“I like that he is young yet experienced also, with a high number of games at a club that compete to win. Also, international caps for Brazil tells you something about him.

“This signing gives us new opportunities and for that I am excited. I’m sure our supporters will make him very welcome and at home at our wonderful club and in our amazing city.”

Fabinho told Liverpoolfc.com: “I am really excited about this move.

“This is something that I always wanted – this is a giant of a team. The infrastructures of the club look exceptional.

“A football club of this size coming after my services, I didn’t have to think that much about coming over.

“I will try to create my own history at this football club. Hopefully, on a personal level, I’m able to win titles with this club.

“I will try to grow and learn and improve myself, and to be part of the club’s history.”

Fabinho, who has four caps for Brazil, becomes Liverpool’s first signing of the summer transfer window.

Serena set for Grand Slam return at Roland Garros

ศาสตร์เกษตรดินปุ๋ย : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/sports/30346496

US Serena Williams attends a training session at the Roland Garros stadium on May 25, 2018 in Paris.
US Serena Williams attends a training session at the Roland Garros stadium on May 25, 2018 in Paris.

Serena set for Grand Slam return at Roland Garros

sports May 29, 2018 09:03

By AFP

Three-time champion Serena Williams will make her eagerly-awaited return to Grand Slam tennis on Tuesday with a French Open first-round match against Kristyna Pliskova on Court Philippe Chatrier.

The 36-year-old last played a major tournament in a victorious 2017 Australian Open campaign while two months pregnant, before taking time out of the game to give birth to her daughter.

Serena has since crashed to 453 in the world as a result, although she was able to use her protected ranking to enter the French Open.

The former world number one briefly returned for the American hardcourt season, but suffered early losses to sister Venus and Naomi Osaka in Indian Wells and Miami respectively.

A run to the title at Roland Garros so soon into her comeback may be unlikely, but Serena can never be ruled out and victory would draw her level with Margaret Court’s all-time record of 24 Grand Slam singles titles.

Should she get through the first couple of rounds, Serena appears to have been handed a good draw, although may have a potential last-16 clash with Kristyna Pliskova’s sister and sixth seed Karolina, who reached the semi-finals last year.

There has been controversy surrounding the decision by French Open organisers not to give her a seeding, with Wimbledon likely to do just that for their tournament in July based on her grass-court pedigree.

But fellow former Grand Slam champions Petra Kvitova and Victoria Azarenka have both backed Roland Garros, saying that Serena shouldn’t get special treatment.

Azarenka herself wasn’t given a seeding at Wimbledon last year after returning to the game following the birth of her son.

“This conversation was not on the table last year when I was coming back and I was not seeded in Wimbledon,” the Belarusian said after her first-round loss to Katerina Siniakova on Monday.

“And Wimbledon has the choice to do that. And this year they are going to be seeding Serena.

“So if we talk in terms of rule, the rule has to be for everybody.”

Azarenka did call for the rules to be changed to differentiate between injury absences and spells on the sidelines due to pregnancy.

Serena’s long-time rival Maria Sharapova and US President Donald Trump’s daughter Ivanka have been among those to call for the rule to be changed, but world number eight Kvitova doesn’t agree.

“I don’t really think so,” said Kvitova who was off the tour for six months last year after suffering knife wounds fighting off a burglar at her home in the Czech Republic.

“I know from my perspective that when I came back I didn’t really feel like a player who is top 20.”

Elsewhere on Tuesday, Rafael Nadal will resume his bid to get his campaign for an 11th title off to a winning start.

Heavy rain halted the champion’s progress on Monday evening with him leading 6-4, 6-3, 0-3 against Italian lucky loser Simone Bolelli.

Two-time Sharapova makes her return to Roland Garros having been refused a wild card last year following her doping suspension.

Sharapova was to have started on Monday against Dutch player Richel Hogenkamp but rain caused her match also to be postponed.

World number one Simona Halep will start her latest bid for an elusive Grand Slam title against Alison Riske of the US.

The Romanian, runner-up in Paris in 2014 and 2017, has lost three major finals in total after her defeat by Caroline Wozniacki at the Australian Open earlier this year.

The men’s tournament sees rising Canadian star Denis Shapovalov play his first French Open main draw match against Australian John Millman, while third seed Marin Cilic faces world number 1,072 James Duckworth.

Your mission … is to progress further than ever before: Somyot tells players

ศาสตร์เกษตรดินปุ๋ย : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/sports/30346487

Thai football chief Somyot Poompanmoung, 2nd from left, during a meeting with players.
Thai football chief Somyot Poompanmoung, 2nd from left, during a meeting with players.

Your mission … is to progress further than ever before: Somyot tells players

sports May 29, 2018 01:00

By Lerpong Amsa-ngiam
The Nation

Thai football chief Somyot Poompanmoung has set the national team a goal of progressing further at this year’s Asian Cup than ever before.

The President of the Football Association of Thailand addressed the players on Monday ahead of this Saturday’s friendly with China in Bangkok.

Somyot told the squad he hoped to see them make a breakthrough at the competition, which takes place in the United Arab Emirates from January 5 to February 1.

“I have never asked our team to be the best in Asia but since Thailand have never progressed into the round of 16 in the Asian Cup, I wish to see that happen this time,” Somyot said during the meeting at the FAT headquarters in Hua Mark.

Kawin Thamsatchanan (left)

Thailand have been drawn in Group A along with the hosts, India and Bahrain. The top two in each of the six groups, plus the four best third-placed teams, will advance to the round of 16.

The “War Elephants” did once finish third, in 1972, but back then only six nations competed. Since then the Asian Cup has grown constantly, becoming a group-stage format in the early 1980s and now consisting of 24 teams.

Before then, however, the team’s priority will be Saturday’s friendly with China at the Rajamangala National Stadium.

The game will serve as preparation for both the Asian Cup and the AFF Suzuki Cup in November.

“This will be one of our most important matches as we are playing against a respectable team with higher FIFA ranking [China is world-ranked 73],” said national coach Milovan Rajevac. Thailand is No 122.

Cheryl Chappuis (middle) 

“As we all know China have invested a lot as they try to become a strong football country,” Rajevac added, “but we have our quality and we have to prove ourselves.

“This will be additional motivation to try our best to win this match.”

The Serbian advised his players to follow the World Cup finals in Russia to learn as much as possible about modern football and also ordered them to stay fit for the two Cup tournaments.

“I want you to take a good care of yourselves to maintain a good level of performance, try to stay fit and perform well. Everything should be OK,” he said.

Well-known internationals such as Chanathip Songkrasin, Kawin Thamsatchanan and Teerasil Dangda are in the 26-man squad, five of whom had not yet returned home form their overseas clubs and missed yesterday’s get-together.

Among the new faces are midfielders Nopphon Ponkam, of Police BEC Tero, and Buriram United’s Sasalak Haiprakhon.

The team are training at the Le Meridien Suvarnabhumi from now until June 5.

Wawrinka crashes out in Roland Garros first round, Djokovic through

ศาสตร์เกษตรดินปุ๋ย : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/sports/30346488

Former French Open champion Stan Wawrinka
Former French Open champion Stan Wawrinka

Wawrinka crashes out in Roland Garros first round, Djokovic through

sports May 28, 2018 22:10

By AFP

Former French Open champion Stan Wawrinka continued to struggle with form and fitness as he was dumped out in the first round by Guillermo Garcia-Lopez on Monday, a defeat which will send his world ranking plummeting, but Novak Djokovic cruised through in straight sets.

Wawrinka, who lost to Rafael Nadal in last year’s final and won the 2015 title, was beaten in a five-set thriller 6-2, 3-6, 4-6, 7-6 (7/5), 6-3 by the Spanish world number 67 on Court Suzanne Lenglen.

The 33-year-old has been plagued by a knee injury and arrived at Roland Garros having won just one match on clay in Geneva last week, his first event in three months.

The defeat means that the three-time Grand Slam champion will slip from 30th in the world to outside the top 250 after the tournament, having failed to defend the ranking points he gained in 2017.

“There is no frustration (at rankings slip). It’s just tough,” said Wawrinka.

“But again, I knew from the beginning that it will take a long, a lot of time to get back. I knew that from the surgery that it will take a year at least to get where I want to be.”

There were worrying signs for his fans when he pulled up and called for a medical timeout after just six games, but he played down fears he had caused further damage to his already troublesome left knee.

“My knee is good. I blocked something else at the beginning of the first set, and that’s why I had to ask,” he said.

The 23rd seed found his rhythm from nowhere after a poor first set, crunching two massive forehands to break for a 3-1 lead in the second.

A fired-up Wawrinka duly levelled the match, and saved a break point to serve out the third set after breaking in the opening game, as 34-year-old Garcia-Lopez threw his racket to the ground in disgust.

The match looked to be all but over when Wawrinka broke in game five of the fourth set, but he became ragged and Garcia-Lopez forced a decider by edging a tie-break.

Wawrinka’s form totally deserted him in the fifth set, and Garcia-Lopez comfortably wrapped up victory.

 

– Djokovic eases through –

 

Serbian star Djokovic had little trouble in reaching round two, though, seeing off Brazilian world number 134 Rogerio Dutra Silva 6-3, 6-4, 6-4.

The 12-time Grand Slam champion dropped serve three times and will have to markedly improve to challenge Rafael Nadal in the latter stages of the tournament, but he was still far too good for Dutra Silva on Court Philippe Chatrier.

“It was good to start this year with a win. I wasn’t at my best, he played with a lot of spin. I didn’t play very well, but I won in three sets,” said the 20th seed, who will next face David Ferrer or Jaume Munar.

Guillermo Garcia-Lopez

Former world number one Victoria Azarenka’s return to Grand Slam tennis lasted just two sets as the Belarusian slumped to a 7-5, 7-5 loss to Katerina Siniakova.

Azarenka, who missed much of last season after being embroiled in a custody battle over her son, was broken to love in the 12th games of each set to be dumped out by the Czech world number 57.

It was Azarenka’s first Grand Slam match since losing to Simona Halep in the Wimbledon fourth round last July, but she still believes she can return to the top of the game.

“No doubt about it. Maybe not today, but no doubt about it,” the now-world number 82 insisted.

Petra Kvitova also found life hard, but the two-time Wimbledon champion fought back from a set down to beat Paraguay’s Veronica Cepede Royg 3-6, 6-1, 7-5 on Court Philippe Chatrier.

The 28-year-old Kvitova is one of the favourites to win a maiden Roland Garros title after winning four titles this season, including on clay in Prague and Madrid.

“I’ve won 12 matches straight on clay, but I’m still a long way from Rafa,” she said in reference to Rafael Nadal’s upcoming bid for an 11th men’s singles crown.