RI falls behind RP 0-2 in Davis Cup openers
JAKARTA (JP): Host Indonesia was left with an uphill battle after it lost both matches on the first day of the second round Davis Cup Group II Asia Oceania zone on Friday.
Indonesian junior Febi Widhiyanto let slip some key chances as he lost 6-7 (2-7), 1-6, 5-7 to Filipino Bryan Juinio to open the best-of-five match tie at Senayan indoor tennis stadium.
Indonesia's first singles Suwandi also came up short against experienced Joseph Lizardo 6-7 (4-7), 2-6, 6-4, 2-6.
The host's chance of staying alive into the third day depends on Edy Kusdaryanto and Hendri Susilo Pramono beating Michael Misa and Adelo Abadia on Saturday.
Despite support from the home crowd, Febi, 19, could not overcome Juinio's vigorous serves and forehands. He failed to rattle the 24-year-old Filipino and showed his youth by committing unforced errors at critical points.
Febi, called up to the Davis Cup squad for a second time, had his best chance in the first set when it reached a tiebreaker. All square at 2-2, he appeared unsettled after he hit a forehand wide out of court and Juinio romped to the set.
"I tried to play aggressively but I was always late in taking those chances. The first set was very decisive, especially in the tiebreak when my forehand went way out of court. I didn't feel depressed and I kept on trying to push him, but he was much better," Febi said after the match.
Juinio admitted to nerves in the first set, but said his self- confidence soared in the second as his opponent's unforced error tally soared.
"But in the third set, he played better and started to climb up."
Suwandi was forced to draw on all of his physical and mental resources in facing Lizardo's thunderous serves and passing shots.
Suwandi failed to capitalize at critical points when Lizardo was out of position. The 23-year-old Indonesian, who debuted on Davis Cup team in 1996, could only draw level at 4-4 in the tiebreak before a string of unforced errors gave the first set to the 30-year-old Filipino.
"I was surprised to see that his play was much better than the last time we met. I wasn't nervous because Febi lost the first match and I tried to calm myself to play better," he said.
Lizardo said his only concern was to enjoy the game.
"I'm 30 years old. I tried to enjoy myself. I consider the home crowd as my supporters. It benefited me. I was lucky than Suwandi missed some important volleys during the match," said Lizardo, who has a 3-2 edge in head-to-head meetings with Suwandi.
Lizardo also won in their most recent meeting at the 19th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games here in 1997.
Philippine nonplaying captain Martin Misa said he would probably not change his announced pairing for Saturday's match. He hoped there would be no repeat of the turnaround which occurred when the teams met in Manila in 1997. The Philippines went ahead by two matches on the first day, only to lose the next three and the tie.
Indonesian coach Deddy Prasetyo said he would not change his doubles pairing as they were the best partnership on the team.
"We will try our best to win the doubles. We told them not to think about today's result," he said.
Indonesian Tennis Association chairman Tanri Abeng said the team's chance to win was slim but he remained hopeful.
"The players provided attractive matches. We only were out of luck. I know it will be hard to win, but we still have a chance. Let's be optimistic and not discouraged," he said. (yan)
Other results:
Group I Asia Oceania zone: Japan 1 Uzbekistan 1 Takao Suzuki (Jpn) bt Vadim Kutsenko (Uzb) 6-3, 6-4, 7-5 Oleg Ogorodov (Uzb) bt Goichi Motomura (Jpn) 2-6, 7-6 (7-5), 6-2, 6-7 (6-8), 3-0 (ret.)
India 2 China 0 Leander Paes (Ind) bt Zhang Yu (Chn) 6-4, 6-2, 6-3 Syed Fazaluddin (Ind) bt Zhu Ben-Qiang (Chn) 7-6 (7-3), 6-3, 6-4
Spain 1 Brazil 0 Carlos Moya (Spa) bt Fernando Meligeni (Bra) 6-2, 6-7 (3/7), 6-0, 6-4