Indonesia overpowers Taiwan 3-2 in Davis Cup

JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia came back from a first-day loss to take a 3-2 win against Chinese Taipei in the Davis Cup Asia Oceania in Taipei yesterday.

The third-day victory saved Indonesia from being relegated to Asia Oceania's Group Two, where the Taiwanese will remain.

It was a crucial victory for Indonesia, allowing it to get back its confidence after two home losses early this year, a 1-4 rout by South Korea in the first round and a 0-5 whitewashing by China in the second round.

Indonesia's upset victory was a great turning of the tables on the Taiwanese, who took a 2-0 lead on the first day on Friday after Taiwan number one Tsai Chia Yen beat Bonit Wiryawan 7-5, 6- 4, 6-3 and Chen Chih Jung downed Andrian Raturandang 6-4, 6-0, 6- 3.

A convincing partnership of Bonit Wiryawan and Sulistyo Wibowo helped Indonesia narrow the margin to 1-2 on Saturday after a 2- 6, 4-6, 2-6 win over the host's Olympic doubles team of Chen Chih Jung and Lien Yu Hui.

In the decider yesterday, Andrian and Bonit turned back the tide. Andrian stretched and stopped Tsai Chia Yen 4-6, 7-5, 7-6 (8-6), 6-3 under the hot sun which brought the temperature to 35 degrees centigrade. Bonit took five sets to beat Chen Chih Jung 6-2, 1-6, 2-6, 7-5, 8-6.

Indonesian supporters, including off-duty staff and crew of the national flag carrier Garuda, were gathered by the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce in Taipei to support the players and boost morale.

The Indonesian Davis Cup team is scheduled to arrive home this afternoon. (arf)

Results

Asia/Oceania Zone One playoff: Taiwan 2 Indonesia 3

Sunday: Chi-yen Tsai (Tai) lost to Andrian Raturandang (Ina) 6-4, 5-7, 6-7, 3-6; Chih-jung Chen (Tai) lost to Bonit Wiryawan (Ina) 2-6, 6-1, 6-2, 5-7, 6-8

Saturday: Chih-Jung Chen/Yu-Hui Lien (Tai) lost to Sulistyo; Wibowo/Bonit Wiryawan (Ina) 2-6, 4-6, 2-6

Friday: Chia-en Tsai (Tai) bt Bonit Wiryawan (Ina) 7-5, 6-4, 6-3; Chih-Jung Chen (Tai) bt Andrian Raturandang (Ina) 6-4, 6-0, 6-3

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