RI stays in Group One, routs Lebanon 3-0
Musthofid, The Jakarta Post, Surabaya
Indonesia's Davis Cup team took an unassailable 3-0 lead over Lebanon to remain in Group One of the Asia-Oceania zone after Hendri Susilo Pramono and Bonit Wiryawan won a hard-fought doubles match over Ali Hamadeh and Patrick Chucri.
After an intense two-hour battle, relief was etched in the faces of the Indonesian team as they spilled with joy onto the court seconds after Hamadeh failed to return Hendri's drive.
The 1,000 fans who packed the Sawo Embong Stadium cheered as Hendri and Bonit, who were joined by singles players Suwandi and Febi Widhiyanto, gained a brief victory.
The two singles players had won their respective matches on Saturday to give Indonesia a comfortable 2-0 lead.
The remaining two singles matches to be played on Sunday would now only be mere formalities with little bearing on the outcome of the tie.
Not only had the Indonesian team now secured their place in the group for next year's Davis Cup, but it was also sweet revenge after losing to Lebanon in their only previous meeting in 1998.
Hamadeh is the sole survivor of the 1998 Lebanese winning team in which he won his two matches. But the 28-year-old could not repeat his winning run this time around.
Saturday's final score, 7-5, 7-6 (9-7), 6-4, however, did not truly reflect the tough opposition put up in the deciding doubles match.
The Indonesians did it the hard way as they repeatedly had to come from behind to ensure victory.
It was the Lebanese who seemed destined to draw first blood as they came with one game of taking the first set over the Indonesia duo making their first appearance together.
Hendri made numerous unforced errors and later admitted that he was "nervous" at having to win the match.
But with their backs to the wall at 5-3, the Indonesian pair picked up their form to win four consecutive games.
In the second set, the Indonesians had trouble as Hamadeh continued his pounding aces to take a 4-1 lead.
Only through a brave comeback, and some luck, saw the Indonesians able to tie the score at 6-6 and win the tie-breaker.
Lebanon's non-playing captain Raymond Kattoura said that he was proud of his players, despite the defeat.
"I'm not disappointed with them. They have shown their fight. You know we were always leading but they seemed unable to overcome critical situations," he told a post-match press conference.
Lebanon must now must meet and defeat either Uzbekistan or South Korea to avoid relegation.
Uzbekistan led 2-1 after playing South Korea on Saturday.
"We still have a chance to stay in the group when we take them next September. We have the advantage of being the host," Kattoura said.