Coaches upbeat over Davis Cup tie<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia is optimistic of beating a tough
\nPhilippines team in the Asia Oceania Group I Davis Cup first
\nround match in Manila, next month.<\/p>\n
Wimar Witoelar, an Indonesian Tennis Association official
\nnamed Andrian Raturandang, Suwandi, Bonit Wiryawan and Sulistyo
\nWibowo yesterday as the team members.<\/p>\n
Atet Wijono, nonplaying captain and team manager, and coach
\nWailan Walalangi both said that the Philippines is the best team
\namong the Southeast Asian countries.<\/p>\n
\"We have to be aware of their players,\" Wailan said.<\/p>\n
The Philippines is to field senior players Joseph Lizardo and
\nRobert Angelo and juniors Pio Tolentino and Michael Misa for the
\ntie at the clay courts of Plaza Dilao, Paco, Manila, from Feb. 7
\nto Feb. 9.<\/p>\n
Atet said the players prepared better for this tie than the
\ndo-or-die Davis Cup match against China Taipei in Taipei last
\nSeptember.<\/p>\n
\"The players have been practicing since December and we'll
\narrive in Manila 10 days prior to the match for court
\nfamiliarization,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Wailan said that the coaches and captain found it difficult to
\ndecide between Suwandi and Sebastian da Costa. East Timorese
\nSebastian was a member of the Indonesian team which beat Chinese
\nTaipei.<\/p>\n
\"Suwandi proved that he is still good after winning the
\nIndonesia Masters championship and finishing runner-up in the
\nnational selection tournament last December,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Suwandi, who led the country's team in Davis Cup ties against
\nChina and South Korea last year, was blamed for the country's
\ndefeats on both occasions.<\/p>\n
He is named in the team again after successfully gaining
\npromotion to the country's Super Eight. Suwandi missed the first
\nnational team selection last year.<\/p>\n
\"He has improved his skills and physical and mental condition.
\nI hope he can maintain them,\" said Wailan.<\/p>\n
Wailan indicated that Suwandi and Andrian will play in the
\nsingles while Bonit will partner Sulistyo in the doubles.<\/p>\n
To reduce the pressure, the association has decided not to
\nfield singles players in the doubles events. The doubles players
\nwill only concentrate on the doubles competitions.<\/p>\n
Wailan predicted that Tolentino will play as the second
\nsingles while Lizardo and Angelo will play doubles.<\/p>\n
The team is to leave the country on Jan. 30 and will start
\npracticing in Manila the following day. (yan)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/coaches-upbeat-over-davis-cup-tie-1447893297",
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