Hingis offers rookie Liza uphill challenge

Hingis offers rookie Liza uphill challenge

JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Federation Cup team sprang a
surprise yesterday by naming newcomer Liza Andriyani to play
Swiss, world-ranked 17th, Martina Hingis in their Fed Cup clash
tomorrow.

"It's a surprise. I never thought that I would be named the
second singles," said 17-year-old Liza. "It is an honor for me
and I'll do my best in the match," said Liza, whose ranking is
500 places below her Swiss opponent.

Liza made a first round exit in the Wimbledon junior doubles
championships last week.

"I have nothing to lose and I'm sure that I can steal at least
one point from Hingis," she said.

Non-playing captain Suharyadi told reporters after the draw at
the Jakarta Hilton International last night that he decided to
feature Liza instead of teammate Wynne Prakusya, who is ranked
beyond 700th, because "Liza can develop her play on the court."

"I've seen the Swiss playing and I think Liza will at least
match (Patty) Schnyder," he said.

The Indonesian team comprises Yayuk Basuki, Liza, Romana
Tedjakusuma and Wynne. It will rely heavily on world number 28
Yayuk, who will meet world ranked 81st Patty Schnyder in
Saturday's first singles match.

"Yayuk has to win both singles matches. Otherwise, we'll have
troubles," said Suharyadi, who is also Yayuk's husband.

Indonesia lost to Belgium 0-5 in the Fed Cup first-round match
here in April. If Indonesia flops again this weekend, it will
have to undergo a Asia Pacific qualifying zone match next year.

The Swiss team, which consists of Hingis, Schnyder, world
ranked 138th Emanuela Zardo and Andrea Schwarz, hopes to win two
singles and the doubles matches with their Hingis-led team.

Hingis, who has just won the Wimbledon doubles title with
Helena Sukova, was upbeat on her chances.

"I have a better chance against her (Liza) but you never
know," she said.

"Besides, it's Fed Cup, it's different," she added.

Suharyadi said that he dropped Romana from his singles roster
because "she has to concentrate on doubles".

Romana lost her world ranking because she played no World
Tennis Association-sanctioned tournaments last year. Her sole
tournament was the Asian Cup championships in November, when she
won the doubles with Yayuk. The victory qualified them for the
Atlanta Olympic Games.

"It's a good chance for both Yayuk and Romana to consolidate
prior to the Olympics," Suharyadi said.

The duo of Yayuk and Romana will take on Hingis and Schnyder
after the two reverse singles matches on Sunday.

Earlier yesterday, more than 100 teenagers gathered at a fans'
meeting with Hingis and Yayuk at the Senayan rebound ace stadium.

Wimar Witoelar, the Indonesian Tennis Association's national
team director and a former host of the TV talk show Perspektif,
led the gathering.

Many teenagers, mostly students of tennis schools, looked on
curiously during Hingis' workout, a style that has taken her to
the elite of the tennis world.

"The secret of success is motivation," said Hingis, who
admitted that she only practices for one and a half hours each
day.

A Czech boy asked Hingis whether she enjoys playing tennis
with her mother Melanie, who is also her coach.

The crowds rushed to both Yayuk and Hingis after the
organizers allowed them to have photo sessions with the two
stars. They asked the two players to autograph T-shirts,
magazines and leaflets, all distributed by the organizers. (yan)