Indonesia and Thailand triumph in tennis events
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)