RI prepares two doubles players for Fed Cup tie<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia is preparing two doubles players for
\nthe Fed Cup Asia Oceania Qualifying Group I in Wellington, New
\nZealand next month.<\/p>\n
Coach Sri Utaminingsih, nicknamed Utami, said yesterday the
\nnational team -- comprising Yayuk Basuki, Mimma Chernovita, Wynne
\nPrakusya and Eny Sulistyowati -- has to prepare two doubles
\nplayers for the round-robin qualification, which will be staged
\nfrom March 11 to March 15 on plexipave courts at the Wellington
\nRenouf Center.<\/p>\n
\"It's a round-robin match and it goes on for five days, so I
\nthink preparing two doubles players is the best way to save
\nplayers' energy,\" she said.<\/p>\n
Utami said Yayuk, world ranked 24th, can pick anyone on the
\nteam for her doubles partner.<\/p>\n
\"It's possible that we'll have to split Wynne and Eny if
\neither of them meets Yayuk's criteria,\" she said.<\/p>\n
Utami declined to decide on a partner because Yayuk is still
\ntaking part in a Women's Tennis Association tournament in
\nHanover.<\/p>\n
Wynne, world ranked 743, and Eny, world ranked 855, reached
\nthe Group A women's doubles quarterfinals at the Australian Open
\nin Sydney and were finalists of the Australian Hard Court
\nTournament in Melbourne, both in January.<\/p>\n
Both have never partnered Yayuk in a tournament.<\/p>\n
\"I think we both need to practice three times to adapt,\" said
\nWynne.<\/p>\n
\"As a junior, I need to recondition myself,\" said Eny.<\/p>\n
The two, with the exception of Yayuk, were picked as the Super
\nNine team after a national selection in December. Yayuk
\nautomatically joined the elite group because her WTA ranking is
\nlower than 150.<\/p>\n
Indonesia must fight in the zone's qualifying round after
\nlosing to Belgium in April and Switzerland in July.<\/p>\n
Utami and coach Paulus Pesurnay both agreed that the athletes'
\nphysical condition and technical skills are getting better after
\nparticipating in training sessions since December.<\/p>\n
\"They just need to sharpen their weapon strokes,\" Utami said.<\/p>\n
Paulus said Mimma, world ranked 474, has strengthened her
\nstrokes during the practice.<\/p>\n
Benny Mailily, a tennis observer and a member of the board,
\nsaid Indonesia must win the tournament if it wants to join World
\nGroup I.<\/p>\n
\"If we only finish second or sixth, we remain in the zone's
\nGroup I,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Benny saw China, Chinese Taipei and Thailand as the toughest
\nrivals in the tournament, in which Hong Kong, India, Kazakhstan
\nand New Zealand are also taking part.<\/p>\n
\"Chinese players are very strong and they have the same
\nskills,\" he commented.<\/p>\n
\"Taipei has Wang Shih-ting, world ranked 40th. She's also a
\ngood player. Thailand has world ranked 55th Tamarine Tanasugarn,\"
\nhe said.<\/p>\n
Wimar Witoelar, the National Team Board's chairman, said the
\ndrawing for two groups will be conducted on March 10. Each group
\nconsists of four countries.<\/p>\n
\"I personally think that our team has been prepared well.
\nMoreover, we are supported by the team's excellent teamwork,\" he
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
The whole team, including three members of the Super Eight,
\nwill leave on Feb. 27 accompanied by team manager and non-playing
\ncaptain Suharyadi, Yayuk's coach and husband.<\/p>\n
The team, except Yayuk, will take part in the US$10,000
\nsatellite tournament in Blenheim, New Zealand from March 2 to
\nMarch 8. (yan)<\/p>",
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