RI into final of Fed Cup qualifier

JAKARTA (JP): The marauding Indonesian Fed Cup team maintained its winning streak as it waltzed past lowly Hong Kong 3-0 yesterday in the semifinals of the Asia Oceania Qualifying Group I to challenge first-seeded Chinese Taipei in today's final.

Wynne Prakusya opened her team's road to victory in the first singles match for the fourth time.

The 16-year-old Wynne, relying on her double backhand and inside-out forehand, ignored mounting pressure to beat Ka Po Tong 6-4, 6-2.

Tong opened the first set 1-0 before Wynne broke her serve to lead 3-1. Wynne, who then appeared to lose concentration, won the first set after Tong failed to equal the score.

Tong's performance did not improve in the second set which she lost 2-6.

In the second singles match, Yayuk Basuki, world ranked 24, conquered Min Tang, world ranked 736, 6-1, 6-0.

Indonesia's doubles Mimma Chernovita and Eny Sulistyowati defeated Lara Howes and Ning Lin 6-2, 6-2 to give the country a 3-0 victory.

Mimma's and Eny's strong volleying and powerful ground strokes left their opponents making unforced errors.

Third-seeded Indonesia will face Taipei, which beat China 2-1 yesterday, for the second time in the qualifying round. Indonesia beat Taipei 2-1 in its last tie even though it did not field Yayuk.

With Yayuk playing today, Taipei is likely to field its number one player Wang Shi-Ting, world ranked 40.

Indonesia must beat Taipei today to rejoin the World Group, which it was relegated from after losing to Belgium and Switzerland last year.

Referees and spectators in Wellington said Indonesia had received great support from the crowd there. (yan)

Results

Indonesia bt Hong Kong 3-0 Wynne Prakusya bt Ka Po Tong 6-4, 6-2 Yayuk Basuki bt Min Tang 6-1, 6-0 Mimma Chernovita/Eny Sulistyowati bt Lara Howes/Ning Lin 6-3, 6-2

Chinese Taipei bt China 2-1 Wen Tzu-Ting lost to Jing Qian Yi 6-1, 6-1 Wang Shi-Ting bt Li Chen 6-0, 6-1 Hsu Hsueh-Li/Wang Shi-Ting bt Li Chen/Jing Qian Yi 4-6, 6-4, 6-3