RI teens continue their unbeaten run

RI teens continue their unbeaten run

JAKARTA (JP): Indonesian youths maintained their winning
streak at the World Youth Cup Asia Oceania qualifying round
tennis team championships with a 3-0 crushing of Hong Kong
yesterday.

The home favorites secured their victory and a place in the
quarterfinals when Feby Widhiyanto outlasted Jason Sankey 4-6, 6-
3, 6-1 in a heated match played under the blistering sun at the
Senayan tennis court.

Indonesia had earlier taken a 1-0 lead, thanks to first
singles Peter Handoyo's 6-3, 6-0 steamrolling over tiny Wayne
Wong. Peter then teamed up with Hendri Susilo in the final and
indecisive rubber to beat Wong and Sankey 6-3, 6-4.

"It's an important confidence boosting win in our bid to make
a trip to the World Youth Cup next September," national coach
Dedy Prasetyo said.

All semifinalists will automatically qualify for the finals in
Essen, Germany. The annual tournament for under-16 players will
field 16 teams in both female and male events.

Slow starter Feby did everything right during his power play
against Sankey except in the first set when he allowed too many
unforced errors. A careless gambling of playing a safe game cost
Feby a crucial ninth game.

Smarting from a first-set loss, the 15-year-old Indonesian
dictated a number of rallies from the baseline in the second set.
Both baseliners broke and dropped two games each before Feby
managed to capitalize on Sankey's weakening form.

Feby maintained his pace with efficient drop shots to make
tiring Sankey run and set up a stretched set. A desperate Sankey
labored to stage a comeback, but he had already ran out of too
much steam to match Feby's deep shots.

"I avoided answering his power play in the last two sets since
I'm not fast enough to match his big strokes," said an elated
Feby.

The Indonesian youths join their female teammates, seeded
first in this week-long tournament, to march into today's
quarterfinals.

Dedy said the girls have a better chance to win a ticket to
Essen than the boys. "My girls are more experienced in
international events," said Dedy.

Indonesia capped its World Youth Cup run in 1992 in Barcelona
when its youths finished seventh. They entered the 1992 finals as
the Asia Oceania zone winners. (amd)