Indonesia 2-0 ahead against South Korea
JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia got off to a flying start, sweeping the opening singles for a 2-0 lead over South Korea on the first day of their Asia Oceania Zone Group One battle here yesterday.
Teenage Suwandi, 18, gave the home side a morale-boosting lead when he beat South Korean number two Chang Eui-jong 4-6, 6-4, 6- 4, 2-6, 6-4 in a see-saw clash lasting three hours. Indonesian number one Benny extended the lead with a straight sets 6-2, 7-5, 6-4 victory over his South Korean opposite number Shin Han-cheol.
Perhaps team manager Yunus Yamani and coach Wailan Walalangi did not expect such a delightful opener and they were quickly forced to consider a modification of the doubles lineup for today's match in an attempt to gain an unassailable 3-0 lead. A victory will promote Indonesia to the qualifying round for a place in the World Group.
Thursday's draw pitted Indonesia's Bonit Wiryawan and Donny Susetyo against Chang and Kim Chi-wan.
"Either Benny, Suwandi or Donny has an equal chance to team up with Bonit," said coach Wailan, also the non-playing captain, after the matches yesterday. Bonit, dubbed the country's best doubles specialist, formed a solid partnership with Suwandi to assure Indonesia of a first round victory over Hong Kong last March.
A number of over excited home fans, however, marred yesterday's celebration. Honorary referee Jim Moore interrupted Benny's way to winning the second singles for 10 minutes as he saw a man in the crowds make an "obscene gesture." The referee then asked security officials to remove the flag waving crowds.
"I like Indonesian fans, but they need a little bit of control," said Moore, who last week joined the Indonesia Women's Open as a public relations coordinator.
Yamani, however, argued that the way the supporters behaved was okay. "Never compare our tennis crowds to those who live in America or Australia," said Yamani who admitted to organizing the crowds to support Indonesian players.
Unforced errors
The slow clay surface of Senayan tennis court played havoc with both Suwandi and Chang when they conceded a string of unforced errors. Both second best matched stroke for stroke, but towering Chang looked dominant in the net battle.
Suwandi regained his confidence after producing an equalizer in the second set and dictated a number of long rallies from his baseline in the third. He, however, continuously hit his forehand wide in the fourth set, giving Chang, who quickly dropped his form, two service breaks in a row.
The South Korean serve-and-volley specialist had Suwandi running in the decider, but he had ran out of steam. Chang lobbed wide three returns to earn Suwandi a retaliation for his two defeats last year.
"Clay court is not good for my style," Chang said after the match, adding that he had only a few days to get used to the court. The South Korean squad arrived here only four days before the three-day tie.
World number 279 Benny was unchallenged in the opening set, registering two breaks through his superb forehands. The Indonesian squandered his own serve while taking a 5-4 lead in the second due to a series of netted volleys.
The third set saw Shin keep trailing, despite breaking Benny's service in the eighth game for a 4-4 tie. Benny, who sometimes lost his temper due to several bad calls, recaptured his composure to tame his opponent.
Benny said after the two hours and 15 minutes of play that his victory was a matter of luck and confidence. "Shin and I are of the same type and we matched stroke for stroke," he said. (amd)