RI ready to face New Zealand in Davis Cup
RI ready to face New Zealand in Davis Cup
JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia will compete for a place in the World
Group II at the Davis Cup tie against New Zealand here from April
4 to April 6 at the Senayan tennis complex.
Coach Wailan Walalangi said yesterday that he had started
reducing the player's training frequency to maintain their peak
performance.
"Starting today, we only practice once a day for about two
hours. We intend to keep them ready for the match," he said.
Wailan said his team's sparring match with Australian players
had proven beneficial.
"At least, our players have tried their big serves," he said.
"It's important for our players to ignore their inferior feeling
against the New Zealanders."
The Indonesian team consists of Suwandi, Andrian Raturandang,
Bonit Wiryawan and Sulistyo Wibowo. The same team defeated the
Philippines 3-2 in a tie in Manila last month.
In Manila, Suwandi and Andrian lost their opening matches.
Andrian had to be hospitalized due to dehydration. Indonesia
crawled back to win the doubles on the second day and concluded
its victory in the third and fourth singles of Bonit Wiryawan,
replacing Andrian, and Suwandi.
Wailan had indicated two weeks ago that he was preparing to
use Suwandi, Andrian or Bonit in the singles and Sulistyo in the
doubles. The final decision will be made at the welcome dinner on
April 3, along with the draw.
Wailan said the Australian players had shared their experience
and knowledge with the local players.
"The Australians have a similar type of playing with the New
Zealanders. They said the New Zealanders were good in junior
Grand Slam tournaments," he said.
"They told our players to rally but we must not make unforced
errors," he added.
Wailan expected his players to find the heat an advantage.
The Australians said the Indonesian players are in top
condition and their technical skills are good. They just need
more experience in international tournaments.
New Zealand's team included Alistair C. Hunt, Mark Nielsen,
James S. Greenhalgh, Glenn Wilson and Teo Susnjak, who replaced
Steven T. Downs. They were accompanied by non-playing captain
Jeff G. Simpson and team manager Ian Wells. They arrived here
last Saturday.
Top player Brett Stevens misses the tie because of his plan to
increase his ATP ranking.
"It depends on our players how they fight in the tie this
weekend," Wailan said. "I have given all the skills I could
give."
The Indonesian team moved from the Hotel Atlet Century Park to
the Hilton Hotel to "create togetherness for the match".
"By being isolated from other athletes at the Hilton, they
will focus their attention only on the match. They will also have
the competitive situation," said Wailan, a Davis Cupper himself
in the 1980s. (yan)