RI sets sights on 1-1 tie in Fed Cup opener<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Yayuk Basuki expressed satisfaction, with a
\nsoundless shriek, when International Tennis Federation referee
\nBill Gilmour announced that she would play Argentine number three
\nFlorencia Labat in the first day of their Federation Cup tie
\ntoday.<\/p>\n
Thursday's draw ran as everybody had hoped -- avoiding an
\nearly match pitting Yayuk, Indonesia's number one, against her
\nArgentinean opposing number Gabriela Sabatini.<\/p>\n
Sabatini, world number seven, is tipped to give a tennis
\nlesson to Indonesian second ranked Romana Tedjakusuma in today's
\nopening singles. The reverse singles will be played tomorrow,
\nalong with the only doubles rubber.<\/p>\n
\"I don't know whether the draw favors or disfavors our team,\"
\nIndonesia's non-playing captain, Suharyadi, said. But Hery, as he
\nis known by close friends, could not stop smiling.<\/p>\n
\"Our chance depends on a lucky draw,\" Hery said, just before
\nGilmour presided over the draw.<\/p>\n
If statistics are worth believing, host Indonesia should share
\na 1-1 tie after the first two singles matches.<\/p>\n
Sabatini is undoubtedly far above Romana's league. The
\nIndonesian, once ranked in 90s in 1993, faces a knock-out of the
\nworld's top 200 after a string of miserable showings.<\/p>\n
Yayuk could score a sweet equalizer in her third meeting with
\nLabat, an opponent she has beaten twice so far.<\/p>\n
But Yayuk expressed guarded optimism, to tame world number 44
\nLabat. \"She's a strong player. We have equal chances of winning
\nthe match,\" Yayuk said of her left-handed opponent, who is fresh
\nfrom her triumph in the Pan American Games held last month.<\/p>\n
A natural talent Yayuk, Indonesia's backbone for 11 years, has
\nyet to display her best tennis, which spurred her to seven career
\ntitles this year. Making early quits in her outings, Yayuk
\nmanaged only to reach the semifinals in the Indonesia Open.<\/p>\n
Tough<\/p>\n
Argentina, fielding its best team, looks set to survive the
\ntough challenge host Indonesia has promised to give. The South
\nAmericans, top seeds in the world group qualifying round,
\nsidelined number two Ines Gorrochategui, who is nursing a foot
\ninjury. It is Sabatini's presence, however, that gives Argentina
\na better chance.<\/p>\n
\"I believe we could beat a Sabatini-less Argentina,\" said
\nYayuk.<\/p>\n
Sabatini, who led her team to the Federation Cup semifinals in
\n1986, but opted to pull out of the women's tennis team
\ncompetition for the past seven years, made a comeback after the
\nInternational Tennis Federation decided to adopt the Davis Cup
\nformat.<\/p>\n
Argentinean non-playing captain Ricardo Rivera was also behind
\nSabatini's reconciliation with her national team. \"I spoke to her
\nand she agreed without any reservations. We are best friends,\"
\nsaid Rivera.<\/p>\n
Other top players, Germany's world number one Steffi Graf,
\nSpain's world number two Arantxa Sanchez Vicario and third ranked
\nMary Pierce are all absent from this year's Cup.<\/p>\n
Sabatini will also play doubles with Patricia Tarabini
\ntomorrow, unless the Argentinean squad secures three winning
\npoints in the first four singles matches.<\/p>\n
\"We have played well together a couple of times during our
\npractices,\" said Sabatini, who scored best doubles team 8-0
\nvictory with Mercedes Paz in the Federation Cup.<\/p>\n
The Indonesia-Argentina matches will be played on rebound ace
\nsurface at the Senayan indoor tennis stadium. Tickets are
\navailable for between Rp 10,000 and Rp 25,000 (US$4.5 and $11.3)
\neach. (amd)<\/p>",
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