Asia's best player Paradorn Srichaphan had a scare against Belgium's Dick Norman in his first match of the Japan Open tennis tournament Wednesday before pushing through to reach the third round.

The Thai third seed, who received a first-round bye, stormed back from 3-5 down and 30-30 in the ninth game of the final set, pulling off

a timely break to finish off a 131-minute match 4-6, 7-6 (7/3), 7-6

(7/2).

Earlier in the day, second seed Sebastien Grosjean of France won his first match since losing the US Open first round by fending off an array of sizzling serves to beat Ivo Karlovic of Croatia 6-3, 7-6 (10/8).

Paradorn, who caused a sensation last year by beating then world number one Lleyton Hewitt here, missed a double break chance in the second game of the opener but found another rare chance later.