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)