RI to play Argentina in Federation Cup

RI to play Argentina in Federation Cup

JAKARTA (JP): Indonesian ace players Yayuk Basuki and Romana
Tedjakusuma look destined to play both singles and doubles
against a Gabriela Sabatini-led Argentinean team at the
Federation Cup World Group qualifying round matches on April 22-
23.

"Fielding them in both the singles and doubles seems to be the
only option since Yayuk and Romana are the best players we have
now," national women's team coach Suharyadi said yesterday.

The qualifying round matches are slated for the two days after
the Davis Cup format. The first day will feature two singles
matches, the second day two reverse singles and one doubles
matches.

"The schedule will not be too tiring for both Yayuk and Romana
since they are playing best-of-three matches," Suharyadi said.

The coach said he is focusing on enhancing his players'
physical endurance during the on-going training sessions. He said
he will pick national best junior male players, including left-
handed Sebastian da Costa, for Yayuk and Romana's sparring
partners.

Argentina will possibly come with its number two Florencia
Labat, who is also a left-handed.

Suharyadi said he would sort out two out of five second
stringers to accompany Yayuk and Romana. The coach has so far
enlisted Natalia Soetrisno, Mima Chernovita, Agustine Limanto,
Maria Veronika Widyadharma and junior champion Eny Sulistyowati
as possible options.

In response to Suharyadi's plan, Romana said she was ready to
play both in the singles and the doubles. Romana, who has gained
some weight, has not played in any tournament since the Indonesia
Open last January, but said she is maintaining her regular
training program.

Suharyadi said Romana, who joined the national team last week,
remains physically and technically fit but needs more
competitions.

Though the Argentinean team will be led by world number seven
Sabatini, Suharyadi believed Indonesia still has a good chance to
win.

"Sabatini has not been in her top form lately," the coach
said. The Argentinean crashed to an upset defeat to Japanese
number one Kimiko Date in the Lipton Tournament, although she was
one set up and led 5-1 in the second set.

Sabatini is basically an erratic player, Suharyadi said. "So,
the Indonesian team should capitalize on that because Sabatini's
form tends to worsen once she finds herself committing too many
unnecessary mistakes," Suharyadi, who is also Yayuk's husband,
said.

Sabatini is now playing in the US$430,000 Bausch & Lomb
tournament in Amelia Island. The Argentinean third seed advanced
to the quarterfinal on Thursday.

"One thing is sure," Suharyadi said, "Playing against
Argentina, it's going to be a tight and interesting game." (arf)