New Zealand overwhelms Indonesia 5-0 in Davis Cup
New Zealand overwhelms Indonesia 5-0 in Davis Cup
JAKARTA (JP): A lack of international tournament experience
has been named as the main cause of Indonesia being overwhelmed
by New Zealand 0-5 yesterday at the Asia/Oceania Zone Group I
second round ties at the Senayan tennis court.
Glenn Wilson, replacing first singles Alistair Hunt, had to
stretch his muscles to defeat Suwandi 6-4, 7-5 in one hour and 40
minutes. Second seeded Mark Nielsen had to work hard before
overcoming Andrian Raturandang 6-2, 7-5 in two hours and five
minutes.
Hunt failed to play due to a bout of diarrhea.
"He had a stomach upset and we had to call the doctor at 3
a.m.. Since the tie is finished, the players' health is
important," said nonplaying captain Jeff Simpson at a post-match
conference.
Hunt, ATP ranked 285, defeated Suwandi in the opening match on
Friday.
Suwandi, whose ATP rank is 740, did not perform his best as he
did on the first day. He then was forced to bow out against
Wilson.
Both players earned their point by point until 4-4. But
experience gave the New Zealander the advantage to win the first
set at 6-4.
In the second set, Suwandi made unforced errors in critical
points and lost 5-7.
"I tried my best but Wilson was better," Suwandi said.
"Suwandi seemed not have lots of confidence," said Simpson.
Indonesia's nonplaying captain Atet Wijono said Suwandi did
not give it his best shot.
"Maybe he thinks that it's an undeciding match or he couldn't
concentrate because he has to leave for Malaysia for a satellite
tournament tonight," he said.
Andrian, ATP ranked 826, performed his best, although he began
the first set shakily.
Andrian took a 2-1 lead before Nielsen, ATP ranked 553,
concluded the set at 6-2.
In the second set, Andrian fought back from behind, thanks to
nearly 150 spectators, to grab a 4-1 lead.
Nielsen crawled back to trail 3-4 before Andrian finally
reached 5-3 after three-time deuce.
Nielsen, who "didn't want to play three sets", changed his
tactics which confused Andrian and won the match 7-5.
"I had trouble in predicting Nielsen's playing tactics in the
second set because he always changed them. His passing shots were
terrific, especially his forehand," said Andrian.
Simpson said: "Indonesian players didn't attack much and
barely hit the ball hard. They should have played in more
tournaments to improve their strokes."
Atet commented that the national team members will most likely
be sent to international tournaments for three months, without
mentioning the program details.
"Losing this time makes us realize that our players need to
play more in ATP tournaments. Our players have to be more
familiar with the big-serve-and-volley players. They were shocked
to see the New Zealanders' playing," Atet said.
The association's chairman Sarwono Kusumaatmadja said he felt
satisfied with Indonesian athletes performances even though they
lost.
"They didn't play bad, they're good. Suwandi and Andrian even
played better than on the first day. They just need more
experience," he said.
Suwandi, Andrian, national doubles Bonit Wiryawan/Sulistyo
Wibowo, who lost Saturday, were scheduled to leave last night to
play in the Malaysia Satellite. It will be the only ATP
tournament they will play before the national selection in June.
(yan)