RI prepares two doubles players for Fed Cup tie

JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia is preparing two doubles players for the Fed Cup Asia Oceania Qualifying Group I in Wellington, New Zealand next month.

Coach Sri Utaminingsih, nicknamed Utami, said yesterday the national team -- comprising Yayuk Basuki, Mimma Chernovita, Wynne Prakusya and Eny Sulistyowati -- has to prepare two doubles players for the round-robin qualification, which will be staged from March 11 to March 15 on plexipave courts at the Wellington Renouf Center.

"It's a round-robin match and it goes on for five days, so I think preparing two doubles players is the best way to save players' energy," she said.

Utami said Yayuk, world ranked 24th, can pick anyone on the team for her doubles partner.

"It's possible that we'll have to split Wynne and Eny if either of them meets Yayuk's criteria," she said.

Utami declined to decide on a partner because Yayuk is still taking part in a Women's Tennis Association tournament in Hanover.

Wynne, world ranked 743, and Eny, world ranked 855, reached the Group A women's doubles quarterfinals at the Australian Open in Sydney and were finalists of the Australian Hard Court Tournament in Melbourne, both in January.

Both have never partnered Yayuk in a tournament.

"I think we both need to practice three times to adapt," said Wynne.

"As a junior, I need to recondition myself," said Eny.

The two, with the exception of Yayuk, were picked as the Super Nine team after a national selection in December. Yayuk automatically joined the elite group because her WTA ranking is lower than 150.

Indonesia must fight in the zone's qualifying round after losing to Belgium in April and Switzerland in July.

Utami and coach Paulus Pesurnay both agreed that the athletes' physical condition and technical skills are getting better after participating in training sessions since December.

"They just need to sharpen their weapon strokes," Utami said.

Paulus said Mimma, world ranked 474, has strengthened her strokes during the practice.

Benny Mailily, a tennis observer and a member of the board, said Indonesia must win the tournament if it wants to join World Group I.

"If we only finish second or sixth, we remain in the zone's Group I," he said.

Benny saw China, Chinese Taipei and Thailand as the toughest rivals in the tournament, in which Hong Kong, India, Kazakhstan and New Zealand are also taking part.

"Chinese players are very strong and they have the same skills," he commented.

"Taipei has Wang Shih-ting, world ranked 40th. She's also a good player. Thailand has world ranked 55th Tamarine Tanasugarn," he said.

Wimar Witoelar, the National Team Board's chairman, said the drawing for two groups will be conducted on March 10. Each group consists of four countries.

"I personally think that our team has been prepared well. Moreover, we are supported by the team's excellent teamwork," he said.

The whole team, including three members of the Super Eight, will leave on Feb. 27 accompanied by team manager and non-playing captain Suharyadi, Yayuk's coach and husband.

The team, except Yayuk, will take part in the US$10,000 satellite tournament in Blenheim, New Zealand from March 2 to March 8. (yan)