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)