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)