Indonesia, New Zealand vie for Davis Cup victory

JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia and New Zealand are confident of winning today's opening singles of the Asia Oceania Group I Davis Cup tie second round at the Senayan tennis courts.

"Hopefully we can win 2-0 but at least we'll have a 1-1 draw tomorrow," said Indonesia's team manager Atet Wijono.

In yesterday's draw, led by referee Bill Gilmour, Suwandi will play the first singles against Mark Nielsen and Andrian Raturandang will play Alistair C. Hunt today. The match is scheduled to start at 10.00 a.m., preceded by an official opening ceremony.

Suwandi said although he had beaten Nielsen at the 1995 Indonesia Satellite tournament, Indonesia was still the underdog.

"Based on their rankings, they are better. It will be hard to defeat them," he said.

"The way he (Suwandi) hits the ball is usually close to the net. But I hope I can handle that," said Nielsen, whose ATP ranking is 553.

Atet said he was satisfied with the draw.

"It's good to know that Suwandi will play first. He is a brilliant, mature, experienced and anticipatory player," he said.

Hunt, world ranked 285, was optimistic that his team would beat Indonesia 5-0.

"I'm happy to play players whose ranking are 700. Our chances are pretty good, we can win 5-0," said the 24-year-old player.

"It's really hot here but after practicing here for five days, I think everybody is OK," he added.

But Hunt said he is yet to play against Andrian in any tournament. "Just wait and see tomorrow."

Atet expressed his hope that today's weather would be hot.

"If tomorrow is hot, we hope our players can force them to be exhausted," he said.

Sore throat

Atet said Andrian was recovering from a sore throat and is ready for today's match.

"Our team doctor has examined Andrian and his condition is getting better. He was suffering a light flu," he said.

On the second day, doubles Bonit Wiryawan/Sulistyo Wibowo will face James Greenhalgh/Glenn Wilson. The last day will feature Suwandi versus Hunt and Andrian versus Nielsen.

New Zealand's top players Brett Stevens and Steven T. Downs will not play in the Cup because they hope to improve their ATP ranking.

Team manager Jeff Simpson also opted not to field the country's second best Teo Susnjak because "after a selection, we think Mark will be the best person to do this job".

"The team preparation is going quite well. We've been here for five days and as days go by we can deal with the heat," said Simpson.

The Indonesia Tennis Association's chairman Sarwono Kusumaatmadja said the Indonesian team must do their best.

"If they play well and fight to the end, they will surely win. If they win, they can get a bonus vacation in Bali. But if they play bad and disappoint the public, they can go to Nusa Kambangan," he said, laughing. Nusa Kambangan is an Alcatraz- like, small island south of Central Java for prisoners.

"If we can win, we hope for greater support of tennis development in Indonesia," he said.

Daily tickets will be sold for Rp 5,000 (US$2) and three-day tickets are sold for Rp 10,000. (yan)