Indonesia extends lead in Fed Cup

Indonesia extends lead in Fed Cup

JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia extended its lead on Wednesday in Pool
A of the Federation Cup Asia-Oceania group one qualifying round,
beating South Korea 2-1 at the Yang Min Tennis Center in Kao
Hsiung, Chinese Taipei.

Senior player Romana Tedjakusuma unexpectedly bowed out to
South Korean Chung Yang-jin 4-6, 3-6 in the first singles match
but junior Wynne Prakusya managed to equal the ties after
outclassing Chae Kyung-yee 7-6 (7-5), 6-2.

In the decisive doubles match, the partnership of veteran
Yayuk Basuki and Wynne boosted Indonesia's winning streak by
defeating Chung and Chae 6-1, 7-6 (8-6).

The match was delayed for more than three hours due to heavy
rain.

Playing in the same group with South Korea, India, New Zealand
and Uzbekistan in the round robin matches, Indonesia will face
India in the last match on Thursday and get a day off on
Saturday.

Winners of each group will advance to the final playoff, in
which the winner will proceed to the World Group Relegation Ties
to be played on a home and away basis in July. The relegation is
to determine which team will be relegated or promoted to the 2002
World Group.

Indonesia will have to await the decisive pool B match between
China and Chinese Taipei to determine the group's winner. Both
teams were undefeated.

Team manager Martina Widjaja said that Indonesia had a great
chance of gaining a finals berth because of its unbeaten record.

"If we win over India on Thursday, we will be the pool
leaders," she told The Jakarta Post by phone.

She also commented on player development.

"Our players are improving, although we lost one game to South
Korea today. But South Korea also has good players, they have
deep and sharp serves and returns of serve," she said. (ivy)