Senior men's and women's double win Niaga Open

JAKARTA (JP): Seasoned men's and women's double tennis players proved their quality on Saturday by trouncing their juniors in the finals of the Rp 35 million (US$4,800) Niaga Cigna Open 2000 at Senayan tennis stadium.

Veteran partners Bonit Wiryawan and Sulistyo Wibowo took the Rp 1.395 million prize money in the men's doubles after they outclassed the experienced Andrian Raturandang and Suwandi 7-6, 6-3.

Irawati Moerid, who partnered her junior Wukirasih Sawondari in the women's doubles, overcame young hopefuls Dea Sumantri and Frederika Girsang 6-1, 6-3.

In the men's singles, Andrian will face Edy Kusdaryanto in the final on Sunday. Although he was humiliated in the first set, Andrian managed to rebound and overpower veteran Dede Suhendar Dinata 0-6, 6-2, 6-3 in Saturday's semifinal.

Irawati was not so lucky in the singles event. She was defeated by Wukirasih 2-6, 6-4, 6-1 on Saturday. In Sunday's final, Wukirasih will challenge Frederika, who upset former 1999 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games team member Liza Andriani 6-4, 6-3.

Wukirasih, who is also a former member of the SEA team, said that she was more physically prepared to play on gravel than her opponent, Irawati. "I will try to be more patient when I face Ira," she said.

She, however, complained about the amount of prize money she received after winning the doubles event.

"The winners in the women's doubles received Rp 775,000 and I have to share it with Ira. But I thought the prize money in domestic tournament was not worth more than that," she said.

Secretary-general of the Indonesian Tennis Association (Pelti) Sugeng Sarjadi said the Rp 35 million had been allocated by the International Tennis Federation (ITF).

"Our sponsors offer a small amount of money as prize money, and the allocation of it has been decided by the ITF," he said on Saturday.

The competition is sponsored by insurance company PT Asuransi Niaga Cigna Life.

Sulistyo said after the match he was satisfied with his own performance. He said he wanted to prove to himself and to Pelti's officials that he is still worthy of a place in the national team.(ivy)