Indonesia tested by Thailand in Asia Cup

Indonesia tested by Thailand in Asia Cup

JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia was tested by Thailand yesterday on
the second day of the A King Asia Cup Championships at the
Senayan Indoor Tennis Stadium before finally winning 3-0.

Chinese Taipei also cruised to the semifinals after beating
India 3-0. Taipei will meet Indonesia today to decide the winner
of group A.

Indonesia's first singles Budi Santoso was the only shuttler
who did not encounter any troubles in eliminating his rival
Natapol Sarawan 15-2, 15-4.

But world top doubles Sigit Budiarto/Chandra Wijaya had to
stretch their muscles before overcoming Pramote
Teerawiwatana/Siripong Siripool 18-14, 11-15, 15-5.

Sigit/Chandra had led 6-1, but their contenders were able to
come from behind to score 6-5. Both pairs rallied smashes and
netting before they evened the score 13-13.

Experience saved Sigit/Chandra, who closed the first set 18-14
after a five-point deuce.

In the second set, both doubles had a very tight score of 6-6
and 7-7. Thailand led 10-7 before Sigit/Chandra could even it at
10-10.

But Teerawiwatana/Siripool were able to use their chance to
score 14-10 before giving the Indonesians another point and
closed the set at 15-11.

In the deciding set, the Indonesians took control of the ball
to end the 100-minute match at 15-5.

"We rushed to finish the match, which caused us to make
unforced errors. We are also feeling the pressure from playing in
a team event for the first time," said Sigit.

Coach Christian Hadinata said in the first set, Sigit/Chandra
had a better defense and smashes.

"But in the second set, they were forced to smash, especially
Sigit. They should have changed their tactic by smashing and
dropping, as they did in the third set," he said.

Christian said Indonesia would rely on the doubles and the
second singles in today's match against Taipei.

"Taipei will rely on its first singles Fung Permadi. None of
our players ever wins against him," he said.

Team manager Indra Gunawan agreed that he is ready if
Indonesia loses the first singles.

"Budi lost to Fung twice, while Indra (Wijaya) lost once at
the 1996 Grand Prix Finals Championships," he said.

Indonesia's second singles Jeffer Rosobin experienced trouble
in overcoming Thailand's Anuphard Teeraratsakul 18-14, 15-13.

Teeraratsakul had led 11-7 before Jeffer fought from behind to
equalize 11-11. Both reached 13-13 afterwards, which forced a
five-point deuce. But Jeffer was able to end the set 18-14.

In the second set, Teeraratsakul led 4-1, but Jeffer was able
to trail and lead 9-4. Teeraratsakul earned point by point to
equal the score 13-13 and forced another deuce.

This time, Teeraratsakul declined for the deuce, but his
decision boomeranged on him as Jeffer closed the match 15-13.

"I played very bad because this is my first time playing here.
He played well and I shouldn't have followed his rhythm," said
Jeffer.

"The wind was stronger on one side of the court and it really
gave me trouble," he added.

Coach Indra said he was satisfied with Thursday's results.

"They have performed well. Budi played better than Wednesday.
I'm not worried about Jeffer, because he's always ready whenever
I want to field him. It's just his first day on the court and
he's a slow-starter," he said.

Indra expressed hope that Indonesia would win group A.

"I don't want to pick between Malaysia or South Korea, because
the players' quality is the same. Malaysia will rely on its two
singles, while Korea will rely on first singles and its doubles,"
he said. (yan)

Results

Group A:

Indonesia vs Thailand 3-0: Budi Santoso vs Natapol Sarawan 15-2,
15-4; Chandra Wijaya/Sigit Budiarto vs Pramote Teerawiwatana/
Siripong Siripool 18-14, 11-15, 15-5; Jeffer Rosobin vs Anupharb
Teeraratsakul 18-14, 15-13.

Chinese Taipei vs India 3-0: Fung Permadi vs Gopi Chand 15-8, 15-3;
Chien Yu Hsun/Huang Shih Chung vs Jaseel P Ismail/Vijaydeep Singh
15-3, 15-13; Chang Jeng Shyuang vs Sidarth Jain 15-6, 15-7

Group B:

South Korea vs Hong Kong 3-0: Park Sung-woo vs Tham Kai Chuen 15-7,
15-10; Lee Dong-soo/Yoo Young-sun vs Ma Chi Kong/Chow Kim Man 17-7,
15-9; Kim Chul Joong vs Yau Kwun Yuen 15-2, 15-9

Malaysia vs Japan 3-0: Ong Ewe Hock vs Takahiro Suka 15-4, 15-1;
Tan Kim Her/Lee Wan Wah vs Shinji Ohta/Takuya Takehana 15-12, 15-7;
Pang Chen vs Yuzo Kobuta 15-8, 15-6