No Davis Cuppers expected to play in all matches

JAKARTA (JP): Team manager Atet Wijono has predicted Indonesia's Davis Cuppers will not have to play in both the singles and doubles in the tie against New Zealand here from April 4 to April 6.

"We hope none of our players will have to play both the singles and doubles," he said.

Indonesia will keep the winning team of Suwandi, Andrian Raturandang, Bonit Wiryawan and Sulistyo Wibowo. The same team beat the Philippines 3-2 in Manila last month.

At the time, Bonit had to play both doubles and singles matches because Indonesia's second singles player, Andrian Raturandang, was hospitalized due to dehydration.

Physical trainer Paulus Pesurnay said although all players have been drilled to be ready to play the best of five sets, playing singles and doubles will be very risky.

"If we can opt a player not to play singles and doubles, we must take the option," he said.

Paulus said based on the latest observation, Andrian is the fittest player in the team.

"Generally, all players are in the best condition, which is much better compared to our preparation for the Davis Cup tie against Chinese Taipei and the Philippines earlier this year," he said. "But among them, Andrian is in top form."

Andrian said he was ready for tomorrow's match.

"I think our preparation is better this time," he said.

The 20-year-old player said his poor performance in Manila was mostly because he forced himself during the preparation.

"I forced myself too hard during practice. When I played in the match, I was too tired," he said.

Andrian said he has been suffering a sore throat in the last two days, but would undergo the latest medical checkup today.

The New Zealand team, which arrived Saturday, will likely feature Alistair C. Hunt, Mark Nielsen, James S. Greenhalgh and Glenn Wilson. Second best Teo Susnjak, who replaced Steven T. Downs, was not listed in the main team.

ATP

New Zealand's top player Brett Stevens will not join the team due to his plan to improve ATP ranking.

"I think New Zealand will field Hunt in the first singles but I have no idea about the second singles," Atet said.

"By not listing, Susnjak could be a strategy for our opponent because they can change the name within one hour prior to the match," he added.

Susnjak was optimistic of his team's chances against Indonesia. He predicted his team could win 5-0 if the weather was cool.

"After practicing for two days, I think we don't face many problems. Everything is OK. The weather is rather humid here," he said.

New Zealand's non-playing captain Jeff Simpson declined to comment on his team's chances. "Just wait until Thursday," he said.

The draw will be conducted during a welcome party at the Hilton Executive Club today.

The Indonesia Tennis Association's chairman Sarwono Kusumaatmadja, who witnessed yesterday's practice, said he was satisfied with the team's preparation.

"I think they have prepared well enough. Our target is to win," he said.

Tomorrow's matches, featuring the first and second singles matches, are scheduled to start at 9.30 a.m. The second day match for the doubles will start at 12.00 p.m. while the last day, featuring the reverse singles, will begin at 10.00 a.m.

Daily tickets cost Rp 5,000 (US$2) while the three-day tickets are sold for Rp 10,000. (yan)