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

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.