Asia has the ingredients to produce the next wave of rising young stars with China leading the charge, Asia's No 1 player Paradorn Srichaphan said on Thursday.

The Thai juggernaut is poised to strike thanks to the region's growing middle classes, massive populations, and in cases like China, increased government spending on tennis in the build-up to the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

"The Chinese Tennis Federation is pouring a lot of money into the development of the game. They have a great program," said Paradorn, who is the first Thai player to compete in the men's draw of a Grand Slam tournament.

"I have been to the tennis center in Beijing and there are hundreds of kids playing on the indoor, outdoors courts there.

"They are 12 and 13 years old and they are hitting the ball well. You know, a lot of them are going to break through."

Like Chinese gold medallists Li Ting and Sun Tiantian in the women's doubles at the 2004 Olympics, Paradorn said the pair's success will encourage younger Chinese to pick up rackets.

"It's going to be inspiration for other young kids in China," Paradorn said at the US Open, where he beat American Paul Goldstein in straight sets on Thursday to reach the third round of the last major tournament of the season.

"To win a gold medal in the Olympics is so big, especially for the Chinese. Those girls are still young."

Neither Li nor Sun has won a WTA title, but in May, Zheng Jie made history by becoming the first Chinese woman to reach the fourth round of a Grand Slam tournament at the French Open.

Paradorn has five career ATP titles but he will be looking to add to that total next month, when he is confirmed to play in Beijing, Bangkok and Tokyo.

The 25-year-old Paradorn is revered in his native country where he has been the guest of the king twice.

Like Paradorn, South Korea's Hyung Taik-Lee is also a strong role model in his country.

"It gives me a lot of pride to see all those Asians coming up," Hyung said. "I hope I can show the way for other South Koreans to follow my lead."

Lee moves on to the third round after beating Spain's Alberto Martin 6-4, 7-6 (7/3), 6-1 on Thursday. He faces 16th seeded Romanian Andrei Pavel in the next round.

"I'm feeling good. I like the way I'm playing," Lee said.

Zheng is also full of confidence after teaming with Yan Zi to win their first round doubles match on Thursday, easily beating Gisela Dulko and Patricia Tarabini, of Argentina, 6-1, 7-5 on Thursday.

"We've been playing together for four years, we know our game by heart," Zheng said.

"It was big for them (Li and Sun) to win the gold. It shows how deep Chinese tennis is. Next year I am sure there will be more Chinese players on the tour."

Zheng would like to someday repeat her Roland Garros success at Flushing Meadows.

"It was great for me to reach the fourth round," Zheng said. "I hope I can do it here one day."

(China Daily September 4, 2004)