RI to play Argentina in Federation Cup<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Indonesian ace players Yayuk Basuki and Romana
\nTedjakusuma look destined to play both singles and doubles
\nagainst a Gabriela Sabatini-led Argentinean team at the
\nFederation Cup World Group qualifying round matches on April 22-
\n23.<\/p>\n
\"Fielding them in both the singles and doubles seems to be the
\nonly option since Yayuk and Romana are the best players we have
\nnow,\" national women's team coach Suharyadi said yesterday.<\/p>\n
The qualifying round matches are slated for the two days after
\nthe Davis Cup format. The first day will feature two singles
\nmatches, the second day two reverse singles and one doubles
\nmatches.<\/p>\n
\"The schedule will not be too tiring for both Yayuk and Romana
\nsince they are playing best-of-three matches,\" Suharyadi said.<\/p>\n
The coach said he is focusing on enhancing his players'
\nphysical endurance during the on-going training sessions. He said
\nhe will pick national best junior male players, including left-
\nhanded Sebastian da Costa, for Yayuk and Romana's sparring
\npartners.<\/p>\n
Argentina will possibly come with its number two Florencia
\nLabat, who is also a left-handed.<\/p>\n
Suharyadi said he would sort out two out of five second
\nstringers to accompany Yayuk and Romana. The coach has so far
\nenlisted Natalia Soetrisno, Mima Chernovita, Agustine Limanto,
\nMaria Veronika Widyadharma and junior champion Eny Sulistyowati
\nas possible options.<\/p>\n
In response to Suharyadi's plan, Romana said she was ready to
\nplay both in the singles and the doubles. Romana, who has gained
\nsome weight, has not played in any tournament since the Indonesia
\nOpen last January, but said she is maintaining her regular
\ntraining program.<\/p>\n
Suharyadi said Romana, who joined the national team last week,
\nremains physically and technically fit but needs more
\ncompetitions.<\/p>\n
Though the Argentinean team will be led by world number seven
\nSabatini, Suharyadi believed Indonesia still has a good chance to
\nwin.<\/p>\n
\"Sabatini has not been in her top form lately,\" the coach
\nsaid. The Argentinean crashed to an upset defeat to Japanese
\nnumber one Kimiko Date in the Lipton Tournament, although she was
\none set up and led 5-1 in the second set.<\/p>\n
Sabatini is basically an erratic player, Suharyadi said. \"So,
\nthe Indonesian team should capitalize on that because Sabatini's
\nform tends to worsen once she finds herself committing too many
\nunnecessary mistakes,\" Suharyadi, who is also Yayuk's husband,
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
Sabatini is now playing in the US$430,000 Bausch & Lomb
\ntournament in Amelia Island. The Argentinean third seed advanced
\nto the quarterfinal on Thursday.<\/p>\n
\"One thing is sure,\" Suharyadi said, \"Playing against
\nArgentina, it's going to be a tight and interesting game.\" (arf)<\/p>",
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