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)