China sweeps singles matches in Davis Cup duel
China sweeps singles matches in Davis Cup duel
JAKARTA (JP): Suwandi's consecutive 6-1 losses in the last three sets to China's Xia Jiaping buried his handsome 6-3, 6-2 lead on Good Friday, putting Indonesia's Davis Cup hope on its last legs.
Suwandi became the apple of Indonesian fans' eyes after debutant Andrian Raturandang fell 6-0, 6-1, 7-5 to two-time Asian Games gold medalist Pan Bing in China-Indonesia's Asia- Oceania playoff first singles match.
But the apple soon turned sour. Suwandi's third set loss of 6- 1, marked by a tidal wave of unforced errors right from its start, sent the fans reeling. Yet they remained faithful enough to hope for glory until his erratic fourth-set loss of 6-1, convinced them that the world number 422 Indonesian was not a good bet.
Some fans vented their verbal disappointment at the third set loss while walking out of the Senayan clay court stadium -- the first exodus.
The second exodus followed when he was down 1-5 at 15-30. Among the fans leaving in the second exodus was National Sports Council Secretary-General Rudolf Warouw, who paused for a moment, took a breath, then stepped out of the stadium.
Yesterday's double blows were an exact repeat of Indonesia's previous 2-0 first-day loss to South Korea in their first-round battle here in February.
At that time, Suwandi, dubbed the country's number one, went belly-up with 4-6, 0-6, 2-6 to Yoon Yong-il, before Andrian completed the fiasco with his 2-6, 6-4, 2-6, 2-6 rout to South Korean top singles player Lee Hyung-taik. Indonesia was finally crushed 4-1 by South Korea four days later.
Today Pan and Xia, Asian doubles champions, will team up to face Indonesian makeshift pair of Donny Susetyo and Sebastian da Costa. If the Chinese win, Indonesia must survive another playoff slated for September to avoid relegation.
Will exhausted Xia be fielded today, given that he survived a five-setter yesterday? China's non-playing captain He Dongpo told reporters that should Xia be unable to make it, he might be replaced by Zhang Jiuhua.
Coach Deddy Prasetyo said he had no idea why Suwandi, despite all-out preparation and the fact he ranks above diminutive Xia, could succumb to such a terrible loss. "Suwandi was fit and very good during practice. He rehearsed 360 strokes three times a week for three weeks. His food is supervised by nutritionists, his fitness by sports medical doctors. What else does he lack?"
Wailan said Suwandi underestimated his opponent in the third set and that's why he lost. He added that Suwandi lacked motivation and a winning spirit, but his fourth and fifth set losses were caused by a left leg cramp which he massaged several times during the breaks.
Suwandi was not available for comment, as he was sent to the massage room right after the game ended. Wailan refused to take blame for the loss.
Tennis observer Benny Mailili, however, suspected that the cramp was a faked one used as an excuse. However, Chinese captain He, when asked by puzzled reporters, said he observed Suwandi and was sure of his injury.
Does this mean that Xia won by luck? Coach He said "No" at first, but on second thought said "Yes".
Indonesia Tennis Association chairman Sarwono Kusumaatmadja refused to blame Suwandi, saying diplomatically "we will evaluate not only Suwandi, but all our other players as well." (arf)