RI, RP doubles match hangs in balance after rain delay
RI, RP doubles match hangs in balance after rain delay
JAKARTA (Agencies): Playing under pressure, Indonesians Edy
Kusdaryanto and Hendri Susilo Pramono were tied two sets apiece
in the doubles match against the Philippines in the Davis Cup
group II Asia Oceania zone tie in Manila on Saturday.
Edy and Hendri took a two-set lead 6-4, 6-2 over Adelo Abadia
and Johnny Arcilla before losing the next two 6-7 (3-7) and 5-7.
The deciding fifth set was postponed to Sunday morning due to
rain and darkness.
Indonesia is ahead 2-0 in the best-of-five tie after singles
Suwandi and Febi Widhiyanto won on Friday. Suwandi beat Johnny
Arcilla 6-4, 6-2, 6-2 while Febi won 6-4, 6-2, 6-3 over Adelo
Abadia.
Indonesian Tennis Association spokesman Benny Mailili told The
Jakarta Post in a telephone interview that both Edy and Hendri
failed to maintain their concentration and consistency after
Edi's serve was broken at 4-4 in the third set.
"They started to lose their concentration and were under
pressure, especially after the Filipinos managed to win the third
set. In the fourth set, they failed to overcome the pressure,
particularly with the home supporters throwing their weight
behind the Filipinos," he said.
The match will be resumed at 9 a.m. local time Sunday.
Benny said Pelti's adviser, Martina Widjaja, told both players
not to play under pressure on Sunday.
Martina urged Edy and Hendri to take advantage of the limited
lineup of the Philippines, which will have to field Arcilla and
Abadia in the final singles matches later Sunday.
"On paper, Suwandi and Febi will be able to overcome Arcilla
and Abadia in singles matches. Edy and Hendri must use the chance
to play their best tomorrow," Benny said.
World group
In Bratislava, Karol Kucera and Dominik Hrbaty combined to
pilot Slovakia into the Davis Cup quarterfinals after they took
an unbeatable 3-0 lead in a world group tie against Austria on
Saturday.
Kucera and Hrbaty cruised to a 6-4 6-3 6-4 win in the doubles
over Alexander Peya and Julian Knowle. Both Slovaks had triumphed
in singles matches played on Friday.
Slovakia play either Brazil or France in the next round.
In Moscow, Russia clinched a place in the Davis Cup quarter-
finals on Saturday when they took an unbeatable 3-0 lead in their
world group first round tie against Belgium.
Marat Safin and Andrei Cherkasov, playing doubles together for
the first time, overcame spirited Belgian brothers Christophe and
Olivier Rochus 4-6 7-6 (7-2) 1-6 6-1 6-3.
In Harare, Zimbabwe lead the U.S. 2-1 in their Davis Cup world
group first round tie on Saturday.
Wayne Black/Kevin Ullyett beat Rick Leach/Alex O'Brien 7-6 (7-
4) 5-7 0-6 7-5 7-5
Earlier, Zimbabwe's number one Byron Black beat U.S. cup
debutante Chris Woodruff to level the opening singles matches
after world number one Andre Agassi had given the Americans a
flying start by beating Byron's brother, Wayne.
Agassi overcame the Zimbabwean number two 7-5, 6-3, 7-5 on the
fast hardcourt indoor court in a powerful display of baseline
hitting that overcame a resilient Wayne Black and intense home
support for Africa's premier outfit.
But honors were shared when Byron crushed Tennessee journeyman
Woodruff 7-6, 6-3, 6-2 to produce the loudest cheers of the day.
In Lucknow, Lebanon's Hicham Zaatini and Ali Hamadeh beat
India's Leander Paes and Syed Fazaluddin in their Asia-Oceania
group one Davis Cup doubles clash reducing the host's lead to 2-1
here on Saturday.
Favourites India were trailing Zaatini and Hamadeh when rain
stopped play for 20 minutes during the fifth game.
The Lebanese pair ran out eventual winners 6-7 (2/7), 7-6
(7/3), 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 in three hours and 15 minutes.
India were 2-0 ahead in the group one first round clash after
winning both the opening singles on Friday.
In Zurich, Australia had been expected to waltz past a Swiss
team in turmoil but despite political wranglings within the Swiss
camp their players were in no mood to lie down.
Australia's Lleyton Hewitt overcame a sluggish start to beat a
feisty George Bastl 4-6, 6-3, 6-2, 6-4 -- his 14th win in 15
matches this season -- to give the defending champions the lead
but youngster Roger Federer upset the form book and beat Mark
Philippoussis 6-4, 7-6, 4-6, 6-4 to level matters.
Things looked worse for last year's runners-up France as they
trailed Brazil in Florianapolis.
French number one Cedric Pioline was beaten by Fernando
Meligini in a five-set epic to hand the hosts the lead before
Gustavo Kuerten -- on his home-town courts -- extended their lead
by dismissing Jerome Golmard 6-3, 3-6, 6-3, 6-2.
Former Wimbledon and U.S. Open finalist Pioline refused to
lose faith.
In other world group action, England -- without the injured
Greg Rusedski -- were level 1-1 in the Czech Republic, while
Germany and the Netherlands were locked at 1-1 in Leipzig. (yan)