Imron the sole survivor in junior tennis c'ships

JAKARTA (JP): Al Imron become the only Indonesian singles tennis player to survive the semifinals of the 2000 Nabisco International Junior Championships here on Friday.

Imron, seeded fifth in the event, was pushed to the limit in beating third-seed Rahul Rajkhewa of India 6-4, 0-6, 7-6 (7-4) to set up a final clash with Australian Clint Letcher on Saturday.

Sixth seeded Letcher had no trouble eliminating Indonesian Henry Davin Teja 6-2, 6-2 during Friday's semifinal action at the Senayan tennis courts.

Tennis observer August Ferry Raturandang praised Imron's performance.

"He often used the drop shot to deceive his rival. But Imron played a heavy spin, which was useless on the gravel court. I think he will have trouble beating Letcher, unless the latter commits a lot of unforced errors."

Imron said Saturday would be his first appearance in the final of an international championship.

However, Imron and partner Henry failed to reach the doubles final, bowing out to compatriots Nesa Artha and Eko Kurniawan 6- 4, 4-6, 0-6.

Nesa and Eko will meet the Indonesian duo of Letcher and Eko Putra, who defeated Claudio Bramanta and Fandhi Handoko of Indonesia 6-3, 6-3.

The girl's event will see third-seed Tiffany Welford of Australia face top seeded Hsieh Su-wei of Chinese Taipei in the final.

Hsieh beat Sasha Abraham of India 6-1, 6-1 to reach the final, while Welford outclassed Indonesia's Stella Sondang 7-5, 6-2.

Hsieh was not so lucky in the doubles event. Teaming up with Wang Nai-yu, she bowed out to the Indonesian pair of Maya Rosa and Diana Julianto 5-7, 6-4, 5-7. Maya and Diana will meet Gumulya and Septi Nindya Yutami on Sunday in an all-Indonesian final.

Septi and Yutami defeated Pichaya Laosirichon of Thailand and Julianne Welford of Australia 6-2, 6-0 to book their place in the final.

Boy's singles player Fachri Syahputra of Indonesia won the Under-16 event with a tough 7-6 (7-2), 6-1 victory over compatriot A. Jonathan Amdanu on Friday.

In the all-Indonesian girl's final, top seeded Lisa Mariana defeated Monica Aryani 6-3, 6-4 to win the title. (ivy)