RI team optimistic about Davis Cup
JAKARTA (JP): The country's Davis Cup squad, despite its inexperience, is confident of its chances against the Philippines in the Group II Asia Oceania zone semifinal this weekend.
Suwandi, who will likely play first singles, said his absence from international tournaments in recent years would not be a hindrance.
"I've been absent for two years but I don't have any problem with my fighting spirit. I proved it during the Davis Cup playoffs against Qatar last month," he told a new conference on Wednesday.
The team of Suwandi, Febi Widhiyanto, Edy Kusdaryanto and Hendri Susilo Pramono thrashed Qatar 5-0 in the first playoff. The same lineup will meet the Philippines from Friday to Sunday at the Senayan indoor stadium.
Suwandi said he would prefer to meet the top Philippine player Joseph Lizardo on the first day.
"I lost to him in the 1997 Southeast Asian Games here. I think I know his style better although I haven't met him in two years. But I can still gauge his progress."
Suwandi said the key to a win would be to play aggressively against the baseliner.
The Philippines, which upset Chinese Taipei 3-2 last month, is fielding Lizardo, Bryan Juinio, Adelo Abadia and Michael Misa, with nonplaying captain Martin Misa.
Febi, 19, who will likely play second singles, said he did not hold any burden for the match.
"I've heard their reputation but I haven't met any of them. It won't be a problem to me if my coach fields me as the first or second singles. There will be reverse matches anyway."
Febi said the Filipinos' retrieving style was not a problem. "They are baseliners but I can play at the baseline and the net."
Nonplaying captain Tintus Arianto Wibowo said Indonesia held a greater chance of winning despite on-paper indications.
"Although the Philippine players have higher rankings, our players can play both baseline or serve-and-volley. Besides, they have good self-confidence."
Coach Deddy Prasetyo said he was not asking the players to win but only to play their best.
"If they play well, they will automatically win the match. But if they are pressured, they will be very nervous which could cause injury," he said.
"I told them only to return the ball as accurately as they can. In the last four days, I asked the players to visualize and focus their attention on the match."
Meanwhile, Bill Tym, a former director of the Vanderbilt University tennis program, said the Indonesians should strive to play without pressure.
"If they can relax, playing their own game and style, they can play well. They must have emotional control and not fear the situation on court," said Tym, who arrived here on Tuesday to observe the team's preparations.
He was scheduled to arrive here last week but was late due to his tight schedule. He will also observe juniors to help the Indonesian Tennis Association (Pelti) in arranging its athletes development program.
Tym said he worked with Suwandi before and observed Febi and Hendri's form two years ago.
"Indonesian players are the most talented players all over the world. With discipline and proper training, they can reach a higher world ranking," he said.
Friday's match, featuring the first and second singles, will start at 1:30 p.m.. The doubles on Saturday will begin at 2 p.m. while reverse singles matches on Sunday to begin at 10 a.m. No entrance fee is charged on spectators. (yan)