Faboulus Febi holds Japan to a 1-1 draw in Davis Cup

Zakki Hakim and M. Taufiqurrahman, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Indonesia held Japan to a 1-1 draw thanks to host's No. 1 Febi Widhiyanto, who defeated Gouichi Motomura in five sets in the second singles tennis match of the Davis Cup Asia Oceania Zone Group I tie here, on Friday.

Febi's 4-6, 6-3, 6-2, 3-6, 7-5 victory at the Bung Karno Tennis Open Stadium put a dampener on the Japanese squad's excitement. Earlier in the day it led Indonesia 1-0 after top player Takao Suzuki defeated Prima Simpatiaji in four sets 4-6, 3-6, 6-4, 4-6.

Friday's game will surely push both sides to steal a point in the doubles rubber on Saturday, where Suwandi and Hendri Susilo Pramono will meet Takahiro Terachi and U.S.-born Thomas Shimada, before the two nations play the deciding singles match on Sunday.

After a lengthy delay due to a heavy downpour, the second match between Febi and Motomura started in late noon.

Febi, who turns 24 on Feb. 9, lost the first set 4-6 before taking the next two sets 6-3, 6-2. In the fourth set, Motomura suddenly came on fire, marching to an immediate 5-0 lead over the Indonesian player.

Hundreds of home fans were literally on their toes seeing Febi struggle to close the gap to 3-5, and both showed a game of endurance.

However, Motomura could not keep up and was beginning to show the strain in his legs. In the ninth game when Febi broke Motomura's service and forced him to a deuce, the umpire suspended the game due to rain.

Thirty minutes later, the game continued and extended to four deuces. Motomura eventually won the set 6-3.

The fifth set saw more exciting games as Motomura engaged to a convincing 4-1 lead, only to give Febi an opportunity to show some fabulous play. Febi closed the gap to 5-5, during which he stole a game point by shooting three consecutive aces.

The remaining set was Febi's as it became obvious that Motomura had cramps in his leg. Febi closed the almost four-hour match with a convincing 7-5 win.

Afterwards, Japanese captain Jun Kamiwazumi told reporters the match was a tough one, in which Febi gave a great performance.

"Gouichi played well in the beginning, but in the fourth set he played less well as he determined to end the game quickly." Kamiwazumi confirmed Motomura had a case of cramps.

Febi said he lost the first set because he was not focusing, but as he managed to close the gaps, he tried to take Motomura in an endurance match.

"I was exhausted, but apparently he was more exhausted," Febi said.

Non-playing Indonesian captain Tintus Arianto Wibowo, who is also the coach for the squad, said he was also expecting Prima to steal a point in the first singles match but Suzuki proved more experienced.

Prima said he was still new to Davis Cup tournaments and admitted to a bout of nerves during the game.

"There is a lot of pressure in Davis Cup matches, especially because I was the opening player," he said.

In the opening match, Suzuki won the first two sets 6-4, 6-3 before Prima took the third set 6-4. Suzuki concluded the match winning the fourth set 6-4. The match lasted about two hours.