Suwandi leads Indonesia past China's great wall<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Suwandi made amends for his loss in the opening
\nday of the Davis Cup duel against China with nearly flawless
\nplay, which saved Indonesia from relegation on Sunday.<\/p>\n
The Indonesian first singles player conceded only three games
\nin his 6-3, 6-0, 6-0 drubbing of Zhang Yu that gave his team an
\nunassailable 3-1 lead, before Peter Handoyo completed the day by
\nbeating Zhu Ben-Qiang 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 in the indecisive final match
\nfor a 4-1 overall score.<\/p>\n
It was a deservedly memorable Davis Cup debut for Peter, who
\nremained unbeaten after winning his opening match on Saturday.<\/p>\n
Following his decisive win, Suwandi made a victory lap around
\nthe hardcourt inside the Kemayoran Tennis Complex in Central
\nJakarta, waving a national flag.<\/p>\n
The final results mean Indonesia stays in Asia Oceania Zone
\nGroup One while China is relegated to Group Two.<\/p>\n
Suwandi, who had looked to avenge the defeat he suffered from
\nZhu Ben-Qiang, took to the court with his mind set for some tough
\nopposition from Zhang, who shouldered a must-win mission after
\nIndonesia led 2-1, courtesy of Bonit Wiryawan\/Sulistyo Wibowo's
\ndoubles victory on Saturday.<\/p>\n
However, Zhang did not live up to expectations, not only from
\nhis team but also from the sparse number of spectators, who had
\npredicted a do-or-die challenge.<\/p>\n
Apart from his speedy serves -- he sank six aces against
\nSuwandi's four -- Zhang was never really in control throughout
\nthe game.<\/p>\n
With his accurate placing of the ball, Suwandi adopted a
\ntactic of forcing a rally of backhand drives before landing his
\npunishing forehands. In contrast, Zhang was prone to committing
\nlow or weak returns into the net when placed under pressure.<\/p>\n
The Indonesian did not give his foe a break. After allowing
\nhis opponent only three games in the opening set, Suwandi grew in
\nstrength to keep the Chinese player reeling in the following two.<\/p>\n
\"I pushed him all the way, not giving him a chance to build up
\nhis game,\" Suwandi told a post-match conference.<\/p>\n
Suwandi rejected any idea that his opponent had turned a lame
\nduck. \"I don't think so. The (game-to-game) points were tight.
\nFortunately, I always won the crucial points,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Tintus Ari Wibowo, the Indonesian team's non-playing captain,
\nsaid Suwandi had attempted to avoid losing his focus. \"He charged
\nearly on and never looked back. Had he loosened his grip, it
\nmight have been a turning point,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Both Suwandi and Tintus agreed that the doubles victory, which
\nsaw a comeback from the Indonesian pair, had proved significant
\nfor Sunday's play.<\/p>\n
From the other side, Zhang admitted to being under
\npsychological pressure. \"That's right. I was under pressure after
\nthe loss yesterday. This game was very important for us, which I
\nwas supposed to have won,\" an interpreter quoted Zhang as saying.<\/p>\n
His spirit deserting him, Zhang said that Suwandi had played a
\ngood game, benefiting from the nature of the surface, which he
\nsaid favored the host players.<\/p>\n
In the final match, Peter Handoyo denied the Chinese a
\nconsolation victory.<\/p>\n
\"I'm very happy with my performance. I had been wanting to win
\neither game. The fact that I could take both is very nice for me
\nto savor,\" Peter said. (01)<\/p>",
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