Benny to lead RI's Davis Cup team
JAKARTA (JP): National top men's singles Benny Wijaya looks destined to lead the Indonesian tennis squad in its Davis Cup World Group qualifying round matches against giant Switzerland here on Sept, 23-25.
"There will be no major changes in our team's lineup," Eddy Katimansah, secretary general of the Indonesian Tennis Association (Pelti), told The Jakarta Post yesterday.
Benny, national number two Suwandi and doubles specialists Bonit Wiryawan and Donny Susetyo formed a winning team in their Asia- Oceania Group II against South Korea here last May. Donny, however, was benched during Indonesia's 3-2 victory.
Eddy hinted that a modification could only happen in the doubles lineup. "We will pick those who are physically and mentally ready to fight," he said.
Bonit is currently Indonesia's best doubles player who is able to team up with either Benny or Donny. Sulistyo Wibowo may be Bonit's other choice of partner.
Eddy said the final team lineup will be announced by Monday after its plenary meeting. He added that some Pelti top officials are still abroad and due to come back this weekend.
The five-tie matches will be played on the clay court of Senayan tennis stadium, which used to be the venue for Davis Cup matches when hosted by Indonesia. The slow surface of the court has so far been the graveyard of South Korea in its four Davis Cup tours.
Eddy denied speculations that the Davis Cup tier will be staged at the US$3.8 million newly dedicated tennis complex at Kemayoran, Central Jakarta.
"We will inform both the International Tennis Federation (ITF) and the visiting team about the venue by Aug. 1," Eddy said.
Eddy, however, admitted Indonesia will be the underdog team, despite the fanatic crowds and the hot climate. Switzerland, the 1992 losing finalist to the United States, is likely to field its world number 19 Marc Rosset and number 45 Jakob Hlasek. Benny, who tops the national rankings, is rated below 200 in the world.
"But we will battle it out," Eddy vowed.
World Group
Winner of the three-day matches will secure a place in the World Group which fields 16 of the world best tennis playing countries.
Indonesia entered the prestigious group twice in 1982 and 1988 by edging South Korea at home, both with 3-2 victories.
Eddy also said that an envoy of the ITF, Thomas Hollberg, will be in attendance at the Indonesia-Switzerland Davis Cup tie.
Hollberg, ITF's director of men's tennis, has decided to come here, following reports on the disruptive home crowd who marred the recent matches pitting Indonesia and South Korea, Eddy said. (amd)