RI stays in Fed Cup Asia Oceania qualifying group I

JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesia Fed Cup tennis team reached its ambition to stay in the Asia Oceania qualifying group I despite its 1-2 loss to China in Bangkok yesterday.

A release from the Indonesian Tennis Association said first singles Wynne Prakusya defeated Jing Qian Yi 6-3, 6-4 but second singles Wukirasih Sawondari, a 19th SEA Games gold medalist, failed to follow in her companion's footsteps as she lost 2-6, 3- 6 to Lili.

In the do-or-die doubles match, Wynne/Wukirasih failed in their last-ditch effort and lost to Lili/Jing 6-7 (6-8), 4-6.

As a result, Indonesia stays in the group's number six position while Thailand and China will fight for fourth and fifth position today.

Indonesia fielded Wynne, Wukirasih and substitute Eny Sulistyowati to compete in the qualifying competition which ends Feb. 22. Coach Deddy Prasetyo is accompanying the team during the qualifying.

It was the second time the country's Fed Cup team played without world ranked 23 Yayuk Basuki. The first time was when Indonesia played Italy here last year.

On Thursday, the 389th world ranking Wynne upset world ranked 38 player Tamarine Tanasugarn of Thailand 7-6 (7-4), 7-6 (7-5) in a two-hour match. Indonesia eventually lost 1-2 to Thailand.

Wynne, who reached the junior Australian Open's final early last month and won a US$10,000 satellite tournament in Wellington early this month, evened the score after teammate Wukirasih, world ranked 449, lost to Thailand's world ranked 498 Suvimol Duangchan 2-6, 1-6.

But the partnership of Wynne/Wukirasih failed to overcome the Thai doubles of Tamarine/Benjamas Sangaram 6-7 (4-7), 3-6 in the qualifying.

Nine countries -- Indonesia, China, Chinese Taipei, Thailand, South Korea, Uzbekhistan, Hong Kong, New Zealand and the Philippines are competing in the qualifying competition, which started on Feb. 16.

Taipei won pool A, while Indonesia was second and Uzbekhistan third. South Korea won group B, with China finishing second and Hong Kong third. New Zealand won group C, Thailand was second and the Philippines third.

Chinese Taipei, South Korea and New Zealand are fighting for top position to go through to the World Cup.

The Indonesia Fed Cup team will return home tomorrow. (yan)