Indonesia takes commanding 2-0 lead over Lebanon

Musthofid, The Jakarta Post, Surabaya, East Java

Indonesia took a commanding 2-0 lead over Lebanon on the opening day of their Davis Cup playoff, after Suwandi and Febi Widhiyanto won their respective first singles matches at the Embong Sawo Tennis Court in Surabaya, East Java, on Friday.

Playing in Group One of the Asia-Oceania zone, the Indonesians overpowered the visitors as both players won in straight sets.

Indonesia is now just one match away from winning the tie.

The Indonesian doubles partnership of Hendri Susilo Pramono and Bonit Wiryawan is expected to wrap up the tie later on Saturday as they take advantage of a tiring Ali Hamadeh and Patrick Chucri, who both played in Friday's singles matches.

"We'd like to kill them off with a 3-0 victory while there is a chance," non-playing captain Tintus Arianto Wibowo said in a post-match media conference.

Suwandi, 26, opened the contest on Friday afternoon with a 6- 2, 6-2, 6-4 win over 21-year-old Patrick Chucri, while later on Febi drubbed Ali Hamadeh 6-4, 6-1, 6-0.

Despite what proved to be relatively easy wins against the two unranked Lebanese players on the first day of the tie, the 1,000 Indonesian supporters who packed the stadium were left briefly anxious in the first match as Chucri mounted a spirited comeback against Suwandi.

After losing the first two sets, the American-based player mounted a mini comeback as he raced to a 4-1 lead in the third set.

Suwandi, ranked 292, seemed at a loss at his opponents sudden surge in form. His returns repeatedly found the net.

Chucri pounded forward with his fast serves and lethal backhand slices, leaving Suwandi flatfooted.

But slowly the Indonesian was able to hold on and got back into the match with several sharp volleys on the fast hardcourt.

Chucri also seemed to suffer from the heat and humidity.

The critical juncture came after losing two straight games with the score at 4-3.

Chucri received treatment from his coach for about five minutes. He later admitted that he had difficulty in dealing with the heat: "In America, I'm used to playing in a cooler climate".

The lead Lebanese singles player also seemed to be increasingly bothered by his feet, as Suwandi continued to surge forward and level the score.

Suwandi later conceded that, "after winning the first two sets easily, I somehow loosened my game. I was in a bit of a slump".

At the end of the match, Chucri fell in agony, not only due to losing the match but apparently in pain as he clutched his left knee.