Roy Hobbs crashed out in the first round of the 2011 Cham Prasidh Cup Men’s singles yesterday. Photo by: Sreng Meng Srun

Second-seeded Singaporean Davis Cupper Roy Hobbs crashed out of the men’s A Class singles first round at the  Cham Prasidh Cup national ranking tennis tournament yesterday, beaten 7-6, 0-6, 6-4 by Phnom Penh-based Frenchman Lionel Lajous at the National Training Centre.

The 21-year-old right hander jumped into a 5 -2 lead and twice served for the first set before the Frenchman forced the issue to a tie break.

A visibly uptight Hobbs then saw the set slip away from his grasp.

Hobbs made a splendid recovery to blank his rival out in the second set before all his familiar failings began to haunt him in the decider, where Lajous recovered his poise and winning touch in time to pull off the big upset.

Top-seeded Bun Kenny, meanwhile, swiftly put compatriot Sok Samath out of his stride in their first-round clash.

The Cambodian No 1 took the first set 6-1 and grabbed a 3-0 lead in the second when a distraught Sok Samath conceded the tie.

Asian Games participant Orn Sambath, beaten in three sets by Ek Chamroeun in their U18 group match on Wednesday, ran into a stiff contest against Raimondo Fabrizio in a  drawn-out match that ended 6-2, 4-6, 6-4.

After taking the first set with ease, Sambath found himself cornered in the second. The decider was touch and go  before Sambath managed to close out the tie in the 10th game.

In the men’s B Category, Doeum Somphearun, Thun Tola and Rin Sophearong made it to the semifinals.

Doeum Somphearun ran out a 6-3, 6-1 winner against Mea Savan, while Tola shut out Chhay Panhavuth 6-1, 6-2.

After losing the first set 4-6 to Rin Sophearaong, Sok Oun decided to throw in the towel at 0-1 in the second set.