Indonesia stuns RP, narrows its loss to 1-2
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)