Angie to open Fed Cup match

Moch. N. Kurniawan, Jakarta

Angelique "Angie" Widjaja will open Indonesia's Federation Cup campaign against Slovenia, playing Katerina Srebotnik here on Saturday with both teams pleased with the draw.

"The draw is good for us as we had expected Angie to play first (followed by Wynne)," Indonesia's non-playing captain, Suzanna Anggarkusuma Wibowo, said after the draw ceremony at the Peninsula Hotel here on Thursday.

Indonesia Tennis Association chairwoman Martina Widjaja drew the contestants witnessed by International Tennis Federation representative Bill Gilmour.

Slovenian team coach Boris Breskvar said it would be good for Srebotnik to play in the first match as she loved to play on hard courts.

"After suffering an injury, Srebotnik's performance has been improving for the last month. If we can steal the first match, it is very likely that we could win the tournament," he said.

Indonesia and Slovenia are paired in the World Group playoff in the Federation Cup with the winner to be promoted to the world elite group.

The match between Angie, ranked No. 134 in the world, and Srebotnik, ranked 61, will be a match between former Junior Wimbledon champions.

Angie won the trophy in 2001 while her opponent triumphed in 1999.

In their latest appearances in senior competition at Wimbeldon, Angie exited in the first round while Srebotnik was knocked out in the second.

The second match on Sunday will pit Wynne Prakusya, ranked 309, against Tina Pisnik, ranked 45.

The players will reverse their opponents on Sunday before teaming up in the doubles later in the day.

"We have prepared our strategy to beat Pisnik, let's see how it works on the court," Suzanna said.

Saturday's games start at 12.30 p.m. and on Sunday play starts at 10.00 a.m.