Non-seeded Indonesians cruise into second round

JAKARTA (JP): Unfancied Beatrix Renyaan and Fransina Une Putty from Maluku defied all the odds as they spiked their way into the second round of the 11th Women's Beach Volleyball World Championship at the Senayan clay tennis courts yesterday.

Renyaan/Une Putty upset Switzerland's Katie Neeser/Denise Koelliker, the 19th seeds, 16-14 in the US$140,000 championship sponsored by tile company Keramik Diamond.

Earlier yesterday, "giantkillers" Renyaan/Une Putty defeated the fourth seeded American tandem of Holly McPeak/Karrie Poppinga and Kim Sung-min/Ji Kyung-Hee of South Korea, seeded 20th.

Renyaan/Une Putty had to dig deep into their reserves in their third match against the taller Neeser and Koelliker. The Swiss duo tool a comfortable 13-7 lead before Renyaan and Une Putty staged a tremendous fightback to level the score, much to the delight of the 100 spectators.

Backed by the vocal and partisan crowd, Renyaan/Une Putty combined exceptionally well to outspike and outwit their opponents before clinching the match.

"We never thought of winning the match. But our fighting spirit was boosted when we sensed that our opponents were tiring. The vociferous cheers from the spectators also did wonders for our morale," a jubilant Renyaan said.

Renyaan and Une Putty take on Pernille Jorgensen and Camilla Funck from Denmark in today's match, which will be aired by TPI at 3.00 p.m.

Meanwhile the Indonesian Olympians, Ni Putu Timy Yudhani and Engel Berta Kaize, seeded 12th, failed to live up to expectations as they crashed to the 21st seeds, Monique Oliver/Jennifer Meredith of the United States 4-15 and 11th seeds Jorgensen/ Funck. Earlier, in an all-Indonesian affair, Timy/Bertha beat compatriots Sandrina/Emiliati Nengsih 15-7.

Timy and Bertha said they were somewhat surprised with their win, "because we did not have enough time to prepare ourselves for the championship." They both said they were very exhausted after taking part in tournaments in South Korea, Japan and Belgium.

Meanwhile, Olympic gold medalists Jackie Silva/Sandra Pires of Brazil were forced to go the limit to eliminate the United States pair of Chris Schaefer/Leanne Schuster 15-12.

Scheafer/Schuster, seeded 17th, had no trouble defeating Kristine Drakich/Lisa Cepelauskas of Canada, the 16th seeds, 15- 2, while Silva/Pires received a bye in the first round.

Silva/Pires will be challenged by ninth seeded Ana Maria Solazzi/Laura Bruschini of Italy, who beat eighth seeded Annette Huygens-Tholen/Angela Clarke of Australia. (yan)