Angelique, Wynne to play in Fed Cup opener

JAKARTA (JP): Indonesian junior best hope Angelique Widjaja will kick off her Fed Cup debut against Austrian number one Barbara Schett in the first singles match of the World Group Federation Cup relegation play-offs on Saturday.

Team manager Martina Widjaja told The Jakarta Post from Austria on Friday that first singles Wynne Prakusya would challenge Austrian second singles Barbara Schwartz later on Saturday at the Tennis und Sportcenter in Neudorfl, Austria.

Martina said the whole team was hopeful that Angie, Angelique's nickname, could create an upset. In the country's last Fed Cup qualification, veteran Romana Tedjakusuma was the second singles.

"Schett is currently ranked 23rd in the world so we think we are totally outclassed. It will be difficult for Angie, and also Romana, to defeat her. Though Romana just won a Satellite event in the Netherlands two weeks ago and was a finalist in Italy, her world ranking is still in the 300s.

"We see Angie as cool-headed and powerful. She may lack experience but she is willing to try anything. All the team thought Angie might have a bigger chance (against Schett)," she said.

Martina denied allegation that Indonesia would intentionally lose to Austria, saying the fact was that Schett was too strong for any of Indonesia's players.

"We won't create our own defeat. Hopefully, Angie can play all out. Who knows, maybe she can edge Schett. I think Angie has the strokes to knock her out."

The team lineup for Sunday's match will depend on Saturday's results.

"We can decide on our players one hour prior to the match, at the latest. There are many possibilities," Martina said, adding that veteran Yayuk Basuki and Wynne would likely play the doubles match against Schett and Schwartz.

Martina also said the clay court at the venue posed a problem for the players.

"The clay court here is different from at Roland Garros and the gravel courts we have in Indonesia. The ball bounces hard so our players must hit it with all their strength. But we'll try."

In Sydney, Australia, Swiss Fed Cup captain Jakob Hlasek said Australia was an overwhelming favorite for this weekend's second- round tie, AFP reported.

Hlasek is bitterly disappointed that Switzerland's top five players, including world No. 1 Martina Hingis -- who has not played the Fed Cup since losing the 1998 final to Spain -- opted to skip the tie.

Switzerland will pit teenage sisters Myriam Casanova, ranked 536th in the world, and Daniela Casanova, 497th, and Alienor Tricerri, ranked 401st, against Australia.

Myriam Casanova, just-turned 16, opens against world number 77 Nicole Pratt, then her 17-year-old sister Daniela tackles 71st- ranked Alicia Molik.

Pratt, Molik and the two sisters are drawn for the reverse singles on Sunday before Pratt and the experienced Rachel McQuillan, ranked 62nd, meet Myriam Casanova and Alienor Tricerri, playing for the first time on grass, in the doubles.

The winners here join the U.S., Spain, Belgium and the Czech Republic -- and three other qualifying teams -- at the finals in Madrid in November. (ivy)