Obata advances to Bali tennis second round

Pariama Hutasoit, Contributor, Nusa Dua, Bali

Japanese Saori Obata showed her cool when she defeated Jill Craybus in two sets, 7-5, 6-3, during the first round of the WTA Wismilak International here on Monday.

Obata, ranked 98th in the world, strongly volleyed, forcing Craybus, ranked 78th, to work very hard. Obata took an early lead.

The Japanese almost lost the game when Craybus led 3-2 in the second set. However, she fought back, blending her backhands and forehands and later was able to level the score at 3-3 before she closed the set 6-3.

The match was their third within two years. Obata defeated Craybus at the Peachtree Tournament in the United States in 2000 and the Pan Pacific in Tokyo this year.

In the first round of the tournament, Indonesia's Angelique "Angie" Widjaja and Wynne Prakusya will play on Tuesday. Angelique will face Martha Marrero of Spain, while Wynne meets Gala Leon Garcia, also of Spain.

Monday's matches included Jelena Kostanic of Croatia against Conchita Martinez of Spain. Conchita had a hard struggle against the Croatian.

The Spanish player frequently made unforced errors and did not have control over her emotions. But eventually she managed to control the match and won 6-2, 6-4.

This was the third loss for Jelena at the hands of Conchita. In the Australian Open 2000, Martinez defeated Kostanic 6-4, 6-4, while in the Federation Cup World Group I 2000, the Croatian player also lost 6-3, 6-2 to Conchita.

In the women's doubles, Marta Marrero of Spain and Alicia Molik of Australia defeated Russian Lina Krasnoroutskaya and Australian Trudi Musgrave 6-3, 2-6, 6-4.

The second doubles match featured Clarisa Fernandez of Argentina and Emmanuelle Gagliardi of Switzerland against Corina Morariu of the U.S. and Nicole Pratt of Australia.

Wynne, who received a wild card for the tournament, expressed optimism. "I know that all participating players are good and strong but I am pretty sure I can make it."