Asian tennis showing unprecedented depth<\/p>\n
Agence France-Presse, New York<\/p>\n
Asian tennis is showing unprecedented depth with Indonesia's
\nAngelique "Angie" Widjaja joining top talent from Japan, South
\nKorea and Thailand.<\/p>\n
But, the Indonesian standout warns, more must be invested in
\nfuture players if the growth is to be sustained.<\/p>\n
"Asian tennis is on the rise," Angie said. "But in Indonesia,
\nthere are no junior players. For now. We need a development
\nprogram and we need to organize a few tournaments."<\/p>\n
Angie, who ousted Russian beauty Anna Kournikova in the first
\nround, was eliminated by France's Stephanie Foretz 7-5, 6-1.<\/p>\n
"From 5-3, I lost my concentration," Angie said. "She played
\naggressive. It's weird, because before the match I felt
\nconfident. There was no pressure. I felt better against
\nKournikova. Her style fit me better." `<\/p>\n
Another Asian top female player, Tamarine Tanasugarn of
\nThailand, was also ousted in the second round by American wild
\ncard Bea Bielik 6-4, 6-2 in exactly one hour.<\/p>\n
Tanasugarn shared Angie's view about the growth of Asian
\ntennis.<\/p>\n
"Asian tennis has improved a lot over the years," Tamarine
\nsaid. "We are making strides everywhere, in Korea, Indonesia and
\nof course Thailand. It's great."<\/p>\n
Tamarine's compatriot Paradorn Srichaphan, currently Asia's
\ntop-ranked male player, advanced to the second round of the U.S.
\nOpen here Wednesday with a 6-1, 6-3, 6-0 triumph over American
\nPrakash Amritraj.<\/p>\n
Paradorn, who won his first ATP title last week at Long
\nIsland, will next face Britain's Greg Rusedski, who beat American
\nAlex Kim 6-1, 4-6, 7-6 (7\/1), 6-3.<\/p>\n
"This year I got a wild card, but I have to go out there and
\nplay my best or it could go either way," Paradorn said. "I'm just
\nplaying my game. He played well but he needs more experience. I
\njust go out and whoever I'm playing, I play my game."<\/p>\n
That includes boyhood idol Andre Agassi, who Paradorn ousted
\nfrom Wimbledon in the second round.<\/p>\n
"If some guy is not from Asia beating Agassi in the second
\nround at second court, it would be pretty normal. Being from
\nAsia, it's more different."<\/p>\n
As Asia's top-ranked male player, the Thai veteran said he has
\na responsibility to the continent, not just his homeland.<\/p>\n
"I feel great presenting not just Thailand but Asian tennis,"
\nhe said. "There's not so many Asians out here at this level. I'd
\nlike to see more. I'd like to have young Asian players looking up
\nlike I looked up to Michael Chang.<\/p>\n
Paradorn changes to a red shirt in mid-match, a move similar
\nto part-Thai golf star Tiger Woods' popular habit of wearing a
\nred shirt on Sunday's for a final-round charge.<\/p>\n
"I'm always going to finish with the red one," Paradorn said.
\n"Especially in Thailand, they are wearing on Sunday the red one."<\/p>\n
Paradorn is near his 2002 goal of cracking the top 30 in the
\nATP rankings, thanks to a workout regimen that focuses on
\nfootwork.<\/p>\n
"Three more spots and I reach my goal for the year. Then I
\nwill set another goal," he said. "I have been working hard for
\nthe last two years. Now it's time for that to be paying off. I've
\nbeen working hard on my legs and my reaction time. If I can get
\ntime to get good position to hit the ball, I can hit it good."<\/p>\n
The match was shown live on television in Bangkok, where
\nParadorn's fame has grown while his moments to work have shrunk
\ndue to demands on his time.<\/p>\n
"No one is crowning me," he joked. "Every day I get less
\npractice, but still I have to play well."<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/asian-tennis-showing-unprecedented-depth-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}