Sawamatsu beats Morariu in Danamon Women's Open

JAKARTA (JP): Second-seeded Naoko Sawamatsu of Japan almost made an early exit yesterday before eliminating Corina Morariu of the USA 6-0, 3-6, 6-4 at the US$107,500 Danamon Women's Open at Senayan.

Although the first set looked easy, Sawamatsu said: "I don't think I played very special in the beginning. She tried so much to win and she missed a lot."

In the second set, Sawamatsu led 3-0 before Morariu crawled back to equalize at 3-3. She then broke Sawamatsu's serve and went on to win the set 6-3.

"I lost my concentration in the second set. She concentrated better and played much better. I tried hard to change by playing more aggressively but I made many unforced errors," said Sawamatsu, world ranked 43.

"I became afraid to play aggressively due to my errors," she said.

In the deciding set, Sawamatsu, whose highest world ranking was 14 in 1995, led 4-1 before Morariu came back to 4-3.

The Japanese player made several unforced errors in the next game and let Morariu, who beat her last year at the Japan Open, equalize 4-4.

Experience saved Sawamatsu as she took the next two games to win the match 6-4.

Sawamatsu said injury had cost her the top 20 ranking.

"Last year I only played in 16 tournaments while others performed in more than 20. Besides I got too many injuries last year," she said.

Also yesterday, lucky loser Yuko Hosoki of Japan upset fifth- seeded Anabel Ellwood of Australia 6-2, 0-6, 6-3.

Indonesia's veteran Irawati M. Iskandar and Liza Andriyani, a lucky loser duo, also went through to the second round after beating Kim Eun-haa of South Korea and Kuki Madoka of Japan 7-5, 6-3.

Irawati said, "We evaluated our loss in the qualifier and tried a better strategy. Liza may be more powerful but I have more experience, especially in crucial points."

Liza, who trained at the Van der Meer camp in South Carolina, said she had to improve her own serves.

"In crucial points, I made double faults because I was nervous. I can do better in practice," she said.

Earlier yesterday, the Indonesian Tennis Association's chairman Sarwono Kusumaatmadja announced he would replace Wimar Witoelar as the National Team Board's chairman.

Wimar withdrew from the board for personal reasons, including a commitment to host television shows and work as a management consultant.

"He just said in his letter that he withdrew for personal reasons. I don't want to know what they are and I respect his privacy," Sarwono said.

Sarwono said he would take over the board's chair until after the 19th SEA Games here in October.

"Firstly, if I replace him with someone now, people would accuse that person of aiming for the position. Secondly, he might not understand the board's system.

"After the SEA Games, the board will arrange programs to face the Asian Games and we will announce the new chairman then," he said.

Sarwono refused to name any candidates for the position, saying that "I'll announce them after the SEA Games. Don't force me to answer because I'll give you the wrong names".

He said the board worked well so he could easily handle the position of chairman. (yan)