Prima, Ayu untroubled in opening contests
Prima, Ayu untroubled in opening contests
Moch. N. Kurniawan, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
Top men's seed Prima Simpatiaji of Central Java and women's
number one Ayu Fani Damayanti of Jakarta gave little away to the
opposition as they advanced at the Hemaviton Challenge 2005 on
Wednesday.
After receiving a bye in the first round, Prima defeated M
Faisal Aidil of East Kalimantan 6-1, 6-2, while Ayu crushed Wine
Pramestini of Yogyakarta 6-1, 6-0 in a first round encounter in
Senayan, Central Jakarta.
Ayu, 16, said she expected a fight if she faced either fourth
seed Wukirasih Sawondari of Jakarta or fifth seed Eny
Sulistyowati of East Kalimantan in the semifinals.
"I am in top form at the moment and I want to win this
tournament," said Ayu, who played for Indonesia in its loss to
Germany in the Fed Cup in April.
"It was quite easy in the first round, but I must watch out
for Wukirasih and Eny as they are good players."
Ayu is also expected to be named to Indonesia's Fed Cup squad
for its tie against Puerto Rico away in July.
In the men's division, second seed Suwandi of West Java, third
seed Febi Widhiyanto of Central Java and fourth seed Sunu Wahyu
Trijati of Gorontalo also advanced to the third round with
routine victories.
Suwandi got off to an excellent start with a 6-2, 6-1 win over
Abigael Tulak of East Kalimantan.
Febi followed Suwandi's victory with a 6-0, 6-1 drubbing of
Johanes Indra Tolip, while Sunu sent home Ferza Gautama of
Central Java 6-1, 7-5.
Febi said the easy win over Johanes was good preparation for
tougher contests.
"The match is good to shape my rhythm of play," he said.
In other women's matches, third seed Liza Andryani of West
Java and Wukirasih also advanced to the second round.
Liza defeated Dian Mayasari of East Java 6-3, 6-0, while
Wukirasih crushed veteran Irawati Moerid of Jakarta 6-2, 6-1.
Compared to most national tournaments with limited prize
money, the Hemaviton Challenge 2005 offers a total purse of Rp
300 million (US$32,000).
The men's singles winner will receive Rp 17 million and the
women's singles champion Rp 14 million, higher than usual top
prize money of about Rp 10 million in local tournaments.