RI stays in Fed Cup Asia Oceania qualifying group I
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)