Top Asian player Paradorn Srichaphan [Images] is hopeful his hiring of a coach for the first time to work alongside his father would re-ignite his career after a subdued 2004 season.

The Thai, who in 2003 became the first Asian to enter the top-10 in the ATP rankings, slipped 16 places to 27th by the end of 2004.

Paradorn began working with U.S. coach T.J. Middleton five weeks ago, but told reporters on Monday that his father Chanachai, who quit his bank job to coach him, would continue to guide him.

"My dad is still my coach. I've always been with my dad, for 10-15 years, since I was a junior," said Paradorn, the second seed at Chennai. "It was my dad who at one point got me to the top-10, so there is nothing much to say about it.

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"He is a great father, a great coach. A new coach coming in is to get a new experience, new technique.

"I'm not going to change my style, but just the way he talks, he can prepare me better mentally."

Paradorn said he had been working alone with Middelton in Pattaya in Thailand to get used to his coaching methods and was confident he can bounce back after struggling in 2004, where he won just one title -- on grass at Nottingham.

"Last year was not really great, but I'm really happy as it could have been a lot worse.

"It was not good like 2002 and 2003, but it is very difficult to maintain that level and defend points.

"This year I don't have much points to defend, so hopefully I can bring it back to the top-20 first and then take it back to the top-10."

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