Top seed Lee Hyung Taik said on Sunday that it was lucky that he doesn't have to play Thai Paradorn Srichaphan in the men's singles tennis event at the Asian Games Doha 2006.

South Korean Lee, currently ranked 49th in the world and number one in Asia, had looked at Srichaphan as the most paramount opponent en route to the men's singles crown.

"I won a silver medal at the 2002 Asian Games where I was beaten by him (Srichaphan) in the final, so I thought he would be my biggest challenge here," said 30-year-old Lee.

"But he withdrew because of his injury, and it is lucky now I don't have to play him."

The Thai won both of the previous meetings against Lee in the ATP tour and edged past the South Korean in the men's singles final at the Busan Games when Lee was cheered by the dominating home fans.

"I think games will get harder and harder starting from tomorrow, so I concentrated today, and that's why today's game was easier.

"It is true that I have a lot of pressure, but after we won the gold medal in the team event, I felt better," he added.