No Davis Cuppers expected to play in all matches
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)