Indonesia stuns RP, narrows its loss to 1-2

JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia narrowed its loss to 1-2 against the Philippines in the second day of the Davis Cup Group II Asia Oceania zone semifinal thanks to the solid partnership of Edy Kusdaryanto and Hendri Susilo Pramono.

Edy and Hendri, cheered on by about 3,000 local fans at the Senayan tennis indoor stadium on Saturday, gave their all to overcome the Philippine duo of Michael Misa and Adelo Abadia 6-4, 7-6 (7-5), 7-6 (8-6) in a very dramatic match.

Indonesia lost 0-2 in both singles matches on Friday.

Edy, the brain behind the success, told a post-match conference that he was very nervous in the third set as they had led 2-0.

"It felt different in the third set. I thought I was still concentrating but everything went wrong. We just started to think about each score point per point," said the 23-year-old player.

Nonplaying captain Tintus Arianto Wibowo, expressed satisfaction with the result.

"I'm very proud with their playing as they felt free and not depressed. Hendri was very tense during crucial points but they both had very good understanding and teamwork. I hope this victory can boost our singles players motivation to fight harder tomorrow," he said.

The Philippines nonplaying captain, Martin Misa, complimented Edy's playing with his fast ball before the net and Hendri's placings and power.

Best

Misa said the partnership of his younger brother Misa and Abadia was the best in the team.

"I wanted them to win but they were not comfortable in the first set. However, I'm very proud of their efforts," he said.

Edy and Hendri led 5-3 in the first set before the Filipinos trailed 5-4, but the Indonesians concluded 6-4.

In the second set, the Indonesian pair led 5-3 but nerves spoiled their concentration and they made many unforced errors to let the Philippines take over the lead 6-5. Fortunately, they were able to force for a tiebreaker.

Edy and Hendri, despite high pressure from the spectators, used the chances to end the tiebreak in 7-5.

In the do-or-die third set, the 19-year-old Hendri made many unforced errors and gave the Filipinos a lead of 2-0 before Edy's calmness equaled the score 2-2.

Indonesia took control on 4-2 but Hendri's unforced errors enabled the opponents to equalize 4-4. Both doubles then chased on the score 5-5 before getting on the tiebreaker.

The Philippines lead 4-1 before Indonesians trailed 4-4 and led 6-5 but the Filipinos equaled at 6-6. Hendri's smash gave another point to Indonesia to 7-6 before Abadia gave the victory of 8-6 to the host after making a double fault.

"I lost concentration in a very critical point due to an umpire late call on my first serve," said Abadia.

President of the Philippines Tennis Association, Salvador Andrada, said he was not disappointed with the loss as the Philippines players were not very good in doubles.

"We're not good in the doubles, so definitely we should win tomorrow's singles. We didn't change the doubles because we were afraid if any of them got injured in today's match," he said.

On Sunday, Indonesia's Febi Widhiyanto will meet Joseph Lizardo in the first match followed by Suwandi and Bryan Juinio in the second match.

Tintus hoped Febi would not get tense as he was the decider whether Indonesia lost or still had another chance.

"He didn't play as usual on Friday. He must move his feet tomorrow to wipe out his worry," he said.

Misa expressed optimism that his singles players, either Lizardo or Juinio, would win the reversed singles.

But Tintus still hoped for miracle, as happened in the 1997 Davis Cup tie in Manila where Indonesia finally beat the Philippines 3-2 after being left behind 0-2.

Since 1986, Indonesia has won four times against the Philippines. The winner of the second round here will face the winner between Iran and Thailand in September's final. (yan)