RI prepares two doubles players for Fed Cup tie

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)