BANGKOK (AFP) Belgian qualifier Ruben Bemelmans booked a place in the match of his life Tuesday, setting up a second-round contest Thursday against Rafael Nadal at the Thailand Open. Bemelmans, a 22-year-old ranked 195th, beat fellow qualifier Frederik Nielsen of Denmark 6-2, 6-3 to earn a chance for the first ATP victory of his career. The underdog has lost in three previous top-level matches this season, in Zagreb, Marseille and Halle, Germany. Nadal, the world number one who is finally making his debut on court in the Thai capital after missing the two previous editions through injury, spent a busy day Tuesday while his opposition was slotting into place. The top seed, refreshed after six days at the beach resort of Hua Hin, took a 20-minute flight back to the town 200 kilometres (125 miles) away to plant a ceremonial tree as part of a project to seed a million trees in honour of the nations revered king. Recent US Open winner Nadal then returned by air to the Impact area to begin acclimatising to the indoor surface where he will pursue the seventh title of a season in which he has won the last three majors and completed his personal career grand slam sweep. Three other players booked places in the second round, with German veteran Rainer Schuettler easily dismissing Brazilian Ricardo Mello 6-4, 6-2 and Israeli Dudi Sela defeating Konstantin Kravchuk of Russia 6-3, 6-4. Mello won a previous match with Schuettler five years ago in Munich on clay. Kazak Mikhail Kukushkin had to go three sets to get past American Ryler Deheart 6-3, 6-7 (4/7), 6-4. Fifth seed Juan Martin del Potro begins his campaign later as the Argentine makes a return from a January wrist injury. The 2009 US Open champion, who underwent right wrist surgery on May 4, is competing in only his second event of the season as he faces Belgian Olivier Rochus in the opening round. Del Potro currently stands 36th on the ATP after once ranking fourth. His only previous Bangkok appearance was a first round loss three years ago.