Indonesia set to beat South Korea<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia is set to overcome South Korea's
\ndaunting challenge in their Davis Cup Asia Oceania Group One
\nsecond round duel here scheduled for May 6-8.<\/p>\n
\"History shows us that South Korea never beats us on our home
\nturf,\" coach Wailan Walalangi said yesterday. He argued that the
\nIndonesian side will enjoy the most advantage of playing in front
\nof their home crowds, while the South Koreans will have to
\nswiftly adapt to Jakarta's tropical climate.<\/p>\n
Indonesia edged out South Korea twice in 1982 and 1988 to
\nenter the elite World Group comprising the world's top 16 tennis
\nplaying nations. Indonesia's run, however, ended at the hands of
\nSweden and Germany respectively.<\/p>\n
The three-day tie will be played at the Senayan tennis court,
\nthe graveyard for the South Koreans in their away matches several
\nyears ago. Indonesia, led by Benny Wijaya, last suffered a 5-0
\nblanking by its arch rival in Seoul last year.<\/p>\n
Wailan said Indonesia is banking on Benny, Suwandi, Bonit
\nWiryawan and Donny Susetyo in the renewed rivalry against their
\nold foes. South Korea will parade the players who took part in
\nthe 5-0 rout over Indonesia last year. South Korea's team of four
\nwill made up of singles players Chang Eui-jong and You Yong-il
\nand a solid partnership of Shin Han-cheol and Kim Chi-hwan.<\/p>\n
\"We have wiped out the upset defeat from our memory,\" Wailan
\nsaid. Benny had beaten You twice before they met in last year's
\nDavis Cup matches. Bonit, teaming up with Suharyadi, elbowed out
\nKim and Shan in the first round of the Barcelona Olympics tennis
\ncompetition, before going down to the Croatian duo of Goran
\n\"Bobo\" Ivanisevic and Goran Prpic.<\/p>\n
The national team will gather for a 10-day workout prior to
\nthe men's tennis team championship qualifier, starting Monday.
\nAll the players, who are currently in several tournaments abroad,
\nare expected to arrive here at the week-end.<\/p>\n
Benny and teammates took a 3-0 lead over minnow Hong Kong on
\ntheir way to wrapping up a 3-2 away win last month. Indonesia,
\nled by Atet Wiyono, last whitewashed Hong Kong 5-0 in their Davis
\nCup qualifying round in 1973.<\/p>\n
If Indonesia manages to continue its home unbeaten run against
\nSouth Korea, it will meet either Japan or Chinese Taipei for a
\nplace in the World Group.<\/p>\n
There will be 3,000 tickets available for Rp 10,000 (US$4.68)
\neach. No daily tickets are available.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, Pelti has named national second string players
\nMimma Chernovita and Natalia Soetrisno as the wildcard entrants
\nof next week's Indonesia Open women's tennis championships.<\/p>\n
Mimma and Natalia will join third seed Yayuk Basuki and
\nseventh seed player Romana Tedjakusuma in the main draw with 32
\nplayers vying for the top cash prize of $18,000. (amd)<\/p>",
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