RI's Irawati to meet Thai Benjamas in Governor Cup

JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia's Irawati Moerid Iskandar will meet old rival Benjamas Sangaram of Thailand in the second round of the Governor Cup Women's Circuit at the Kemayoran Tennis Complex today.

Irawati, who rejoined the national team after giving birth, beat junior Frederika Girsang 4-6, 6-4, 6-3 yesterday, while Benjamas beat Indonesian Laura Mangunsong 6-2, 6-4.

"Facing Benjamas is like seeing my old rival. I beat her at the 1991 SEA Games in the Philippines 7-5, 6-2," Irawati said.

But she said her chances of winning were slimmer this time.

"I think she plays much better now compared to the way I am playing after starting all over again," she said.

Irawati promised to fight hard to beat the 354th ranked player.

"I will combine quick and slow rhythm to confuse her," she said.

Compatriot Eny Sulistyowati failed to beat Riei Otakeyama after two hours and five minutes. Eny lost 4-6, 6-4, 4-6.

Otakeyama will meet fifth seeded Japanese Tomoe Hotta, who beat compatriot Chie Nagano 6-1, 6-3.

First seeded Japanese Keiko Nagatomi crushed Indonesia's Asri Nursanti Ebo 6-2, 6-1. The 289th ranked player now meets South Korean Chae Kyung Yee, who beat Australian Natalie Dittman 6-1, 6-2.

Eight seeded Malaysian Koo Chin Bee beat Uzbekhistan's Natalia Nikitina 6-2, 6-2, while Indian Jahnavi Parekh beat Japanese Anori Fukuda 6-4, 6-4.

In the Governor Cup Men's tournament, newcomer Champy Halim upset seventh seeded Edy Kusdaryanto, a former Indonesian Davis Cup player, 5-7, 7-5, 6-4, in the first round.

Champy will play compatriot Surya Wijaya, who thrashed junior Octoberus 6-0, 6-0.

Second seeded Samsudin Pare beat Ifan Taufik 6-0, 7-6 (7-3). Fourth seeded Tjahjono cruised to the next round with a 6-0, 6-0 demolition job on Rendi Reo Lampen. Former Davis Cup player Donnie Susetyo, who is seeded fifth, beat Prihatin 6-0, 6-3.

Indonesian Fed Cup player Wynne Prakusya, dubbed the country's second best player after Yayuk Basuki will play compatriot Mimma Chernovita, while Liza Andriyani will meet Japanese Ishida Keiko. (yan)