Indonesia defeats Kiwis in Federation Cup opening

JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Fed Cup team defeated New Zealand 2-1 yesterday on the first day of Group A's round-robin matches at the Asia Oceania Qualifying Group I in Wellington.

Yayuk Basuki, ranked 24th in the world, confirmed Indonesia's victory when she beat Graye McManus 6-1, 6-0 in the second singles match.

Young hopeful Wynne Prakusya was tested earlier yesterday as she beat Rewa Hudson 6-1, 6-7 (9-11), 6-4.

But success in the singles was not followed in the doubles as the Indonesian pair Mimma Chernovita and Eny Sulistyowati lost to Leanne Baker and Shelley Stephens 2-6, 6-7 (4-7).

Team manager and non-playing captain Suharyadi said he was happy with the results.

"Unfortunately we lost the doubles but the New Zealand duo are better," he said.

"Wynne and Yayuk performed outstandingly but their rivals' skills were lower," he said.

Suharyadi, Yayuk's coach and husband, said that third-seeded Indonesia had entered Yayuk to take one point in the match.

"It's a round-robin match. It's too risky too lose," he said.

Yayuk and Wynne will play today against India.

"India may be weaker than New Zealand but we'll still field our best players," Suharyadi said.

In the group's other matches, first-seeded Chinese Taipei beat India 3-0.

Taipei is Indonesia's toughest rival in the group.

"The match against Taipei is the deciding match of the group. If we can win it, our road to the finals will be easier," Suharyadi said.

Suharyadi said Hong Kong and China were favorites to win Group B.

"All Hong Kong players have average skills. They don't just rely on one player. We must be aware of them," he said.

Antara reported that Kazakhstan upset second-seeded China 3-0 yesterday.

China's Yi Jing Qian, ranked 196, lost to Alisa Vetts 6-2, 6-1 in the second singles match. (yan)

Results

Group A: Indonesia bt New Zealand 2-1 Wynne Prakusya vs Rewa Hudson 6-1, 6-7 (9-11), 6-4 Yayuk Basuki vs Graye McManus 6-1, 6-0 Mimma Chernovita/Eny Sulistyowati vs Leanne Baker/Shelley Stephens 2-6, 6-7 (4-7)

Chinese Taipei bt India 3-0 Julie Huang vs Jahnavi Parekh 6-4, 6-2 Wang Shi Thing vs Arati Ponnappa 6-1, 6-1 Hsu Hsueh Li/Wang Shi Ting vs A. Ponnappa/J. Parekh 6-0, 6-1

Group B: Hong Kong bt Thailand 3-0 Ka Po Tong vs Phorhathai Suksamaan 6-2, 6-2 Min Tang vs Sirimol Duangchan 6-2, 6-2 Lara Howes/Ning Lin vs Suvind Duangchan/Porhathai Suksamaan 6-2, 7-6 (6-4)

Kazakhstan bt China 3-0 Tetiana Babina vs Yuan Wen 6-2, 4-6, 6-3 Alisa Vetts vs Yi Jing Qian 6-2, 6-1 T. Babina/A. Vetts vs Van Chen/Jing 6-2, 6-1