Concerned Philippines wants venue for Davis Cup moved

JAKARTA (JP): The Philippines, citing security concerns, has requested the International Tennis Federation (ITF) move its Davis Cup Asia Oceania Group Two match against Indonesia in April from Jakarta.

Deputy secretary-general of the Indonesian Tennis Association (Pelti) Benny Mailili said on Tuesday the Philippines Lawn Tennis Association asked the ITF to name Manila or a city in a neutral country as the site of the second-round tie, scheduled for April 2 to April 4.

"The Philippines' concern is understandable and it could become a realistic reason to move the site of the match. But we will wait for the ITF's decision," Benny said.

"If the ITF decides to meet the Philippines' demand, we would prefer a neutral country." He did not name countries to Indonesia's liking.

Riots and unrest have plagued the country as it lurches toward democracy after the fall of the New Order regime last May.

Benny said the Philippines should not have played up the security concerns.

"We have told the ITF we will fully guarantee the Philippine team's safety from their arrival until their departure for home."

Benny said Pelti would ask the police to maintain order during matches to be held at the Senayan tennis complex. Police have also been asked to safeguard the Baskin Robbins Junior International tennis championships here next month.

Indonesia originally opted for the Kemayoran tennis court's plexi-pave surface, but switched to Senayan after discovering the Filipinos were not used to the rebound-ace surface.

"The fact that the Philippines doesn't have rebound-ace courts is to our advantage. Besides, our players have trained on this type of court during their preparations for the first-round match against Qatar earlier this month," Benny said.

In the Asia Oceania region, Australia and Indonesia are the only countries with the modification of hard courts.

Pelti has announced it will maintain the team of Suwandi, Febi Widhiyanto, Edy Kusdaryanto and Hendri Susilo Pramono, who overpowered Qatar 5-0 in Doha in the first round.

They will likely meet Joseph Lizardo, Bryan Juinio and Michael Misa, who beat Chinese Taipei 3-2 in the first round.

Winner of the April match will join the zone's Group One competition next season. Indonesia was relegated from the Group One last year after losing to Lebanon.

Benny was concerned the Philippines would recruit Cecil Mammit, world ranked in the 200s, who holds dual U.S. and Philippine citizenship.

The former top U.S. collegiate player upset Michael Chang last week on his way to the final of the US$815,000 Sybase Open. (yan)