Seeded players lost in Wismilak tourney

SURABAYA (JP): More seeded players were upset in the second round of the Wismilak International women's tennis tournament at Embong Sawo tennis complex here yesterday.

Third seeded Tamarine Tanasugarn of Thailand, world ranked 39, lost to Australian Nicole Pratt 7-5, 6-2.

So far, three seeded players have made early exits from the tournament.

Earlier Tuesday, defending champion and fourth seeded Wang Shi-ting of Taipei and eighth seeded Andriana Gersi of the Czech Republic also lost their matches.

Second seeded Henrieta Nagyova of Slovakia, world ranked 44, still went through to the third round after beating Haruka Inoue of Japan 6-3, 5-7, 7-5.

Nagyova will challenge the winner between Lenka Nemeckova of the Czech Republic and Erika De Lone of the United States, while Pratt will meet Nana Miyagi of Japan.

Miyagi went through to the third round after beating Jolene Watanabe of the United States 6-4, 6-3.

The 16th seeded player and world ranked 104th performed well with her spins and forehands despite the tough battle she had to overcome her opponent, who is world ranked 105, in a 57-minute match.

"I have to admit that she performed very well today. I had to pump out my energy to beat her," she said.

Miyagi will meet seventh seed Rachel McQuillan of Australia, who beat her compatriot Siobhan Drake Brokman yesterday.

McQuillan beat Miyagi in the 1997 Amelia Island championships 7-5, 3-6, 6-2.

Tamarine, who will compete for her country in the 19th SEA Games in Jakarta next month, had to try hard just to trail Pratt 0-3 in the first set.

Using her forehands, spins and hard services, Tamarine equaled the score to 3-3 and to 5-5. Unfortunately, Pratt finished the set 7-5 in 60 minutes.

In the second set Pratt played more confidently to lead 5-1 before concluding the match 6-2 in 35 minutes.

"I was too tired after playing against Rika Hiraki (Japan). But Pratt played better today," Tamarine said.

The winner of the tournament will receive US$31,860, while the runner-up will get $15,030. Semifinalists will receive $7,695 each. (nur/yan)