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)