Sawamatsu beats Morariu in Danamon Women's Open
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)