BANGKOK, Sept 23: Sixth-seeded Swede Robin Soderling, playing his first match in almost a month, on Tuesday breezed past Pakistan’s Aisam-ul-Haq 6-2, 6-4 to reach the second round of the Thailand Open.

Soderling, ranked 34th in the world, fired 15 aces to seal the victory -- his first since a second round win in Cincinnati last month.

“The first round is always tougher than almost any other match -- save the final,” said the 24-year-old Swede, who suffered opening round losses at both the Beijing Olympics and the US Open.

“But it felt good to get back on court. I feel really refreshed and ready for the indoor season.” Soderling said.

Aisam, ranked 207th in the world and the only Pakistani player of note on the ATP tour, had “served well and was tough on this medium-fast surface.” “He played a lot better than I would have expected,” added the Swede, who moved to 33-17 this season. —AFP