Prima to face Febi in semis of Hemaviton Challenge

Moch. N. Kurniawan, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta

Top seeded Prima Simpatiaji of Central Java will try to make it third time lucky when he meets close rival Febi Widhiyanto of Jakarta in the semifinals of the Hemaviton Challenge 2005 on Saturday.

National number one Prima defeated Sebastian Dacosta of West Nusa Tenggara 6-3, 6-3, while third seeded Febi crushed veteran Sulistyo Wibowo of West Java 6-1, 6-1 in Senayan, Central Jakarta, on Friday

Prima said he was able to enjoy his match against Sebastian but expected a tough contest against Febi.

"Let's see tomorrow," he said.

Febi, who recently recovered from a right hand injury, was also optimistic about meeting Prima, especially after their most recent encounters.

"We know each other well, therefore our chance is equal. But I have the advantage as I won the last two matches against Prima," he said.

Febi defeated Prima in the 2004 National Games and Jakarta Governor's Cup last year.

He said there was no recurrence of his injury during the tournament, although all of his matches through to the last four have been short in duration.

The other semifinal will feature second seed Suwandi of West Java, who beat Hendri Soesilo of Jakarta 6-2, 6-2, against fourth seed Sunu Wahyu Trijati of Gorontalo, who overcame Dadang A.R. of South Kalimantan 6-2, 6-1.

In the women's division, top seeded Ayu Fani Damayanti will face Eny Sulistyowati of East Kalimantan and third seeded Liza Andryani of West Java will meet Maya Rosa of Central Java, the seventh seed, in the semifinals.

In Friday's quarterfinals, Ayu received a walkover as Lutfiana Aris of Central Java left for Uzbekistan for a junior tournament.

In the other quarterfinals, Eny was taken to three sets by Jakarta's Wukirasih Sawondari 6-3, 4-6, 6-1, Liza defeated Denise Harijanto of Jakarta 6-0, 6-4, and Maya was surprisingly untroubled in overcoming second seeded Septi Mende of Jakarta 6- 3, 6-3.

The winner of the men's title will receive Rp 17 million, while the women's champion takes home Rp 14 million.