Indonesia and Thailand triumph in tennis events
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN (JP): Indonesia and Thailand shared the laurels in the tennis team event at the 20th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games here on Tuesday.
Romana Tedjakusuma, making her comeback to the biennial event after six years, was the toast of the Indonesian women's team when she won her singles match and then anchored the team to a 2- 1 victory over the Philippines in the see-saw deciding doubles match.
The 1993 singles gold medalist made short work of Marisue Jacutin 6-4, 6-0 to put Indonesia ahead. But the Philippines pulled level when Maricris Fernandez upset Indonesia's ace player Wynne Prakusya 6-4, 6-1 in the second singles.
Romana showed her selection over younger players was well- founded when she partnered Wynne to beat Fernandez and Pamela Floro 7-6 (7-2), 7-5 in a thrilling match.
The victory was consolation for about 100 Indonesian spectators, who earlier witnessed Thailand take the men's team gold medal by trouncing defending champion Indonesia 3-0.
It was sweet revenge for the Thais, who lost to the same team two years ago in Jakarta.
Indonesia's Febi Widhiyanto stretched Danai Udomchoke before succumbing 6-7 (4-7), 4-6 in about 100 minutes. World number 202 Paradorn Srichaphan, who reached the third round at this year's Wimbledon, overpowered Suwandi 6-3, 6-2 in the second singles to give Thailand the gold.
Paradon's brother Narathorn teamed up well with Vittaya Samrej to complete the rout with a 6-3, 6-1 win over the regular pairing of Febi and Hendri Susilo Pramono.
Shortly after the doubles match, the jubilant Thai team ran around the court in a victory lap which silenced the raucous Indonesian fans.
It was a memorable moment for SEA Games rookie Danai, who celebrates his 18th birthday on Wednesday.
"Well, it's a great birthday present for me. I think Febi played really well today. He rallied and served well. It's just a matter of luck," he said.
The battle between the two teenagers was a tiring slugfest, with both players choosing to trade down-the-line shots from the baseline.
Danai gained the upper edge in the first set tie-break when Febi reeled off a string of unforced errors at the critical juncture of 4-4. A wide backhand drive and a return into the net handed the Thai the set.
Febi, also making his Games debut, looked to have turned the tables when he broke Danai's serve to go ahead 3-0 in the second set. However, the Indonesian was sidetracked by another batch of unforced errors and Danai took four games in a row.
Danai broke Febi again and then served out the match at love.
Febi said he was overeager to close out the opening set. He said he tried to change his strategy in the second set, but could not hold off his opponent's resilience.
"I wasted my chances of winning the match. I really regret it. He was armed with crisp passing shots and ran for every ball I hit."
Febi, who defeated Danai in a junior tournament in 1995, acknowledged the Thai player's improvement.
Defending Games singles champion Paradorn faced little trouble against Suwandi, the 1993 gold medalist. The Thai number one has now set his sights on completing a double with the singles title.
"I dedicate my gold medal to my mother, who will celebrate Mother's Day on Aug. 12," he said. (yan)