Suwandi grabs a spot in the SEA Games team
Suwandi grabs a spot in the SEA Games team
JAKARTA (JP): Men's singles player Suwandi ensured a place in
the 20th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games team after two victories on
the second day of the national selection at Kemayoran Tennis
Center.
Suwandi, a former member of Indonesia's Davis Cup team,
defeated on Thursday Sebastian Da Costa 6-3, 6-1 and Hendri
Susilo Pramono 6-2, 6-3. Suwandi won all four of his matches.
Yusmawan Fahmi, who is yet to join the national squad for an
international event, trailed in second place with three victories
and one loss.
Also on Thursday, high-tempered Fahmi beat Suhendar Dinata 6-
4, 6-2 and Edy Kusdaryanto 6-3, 6-0.
Febi Widhiyanto, who had racked up two victories in the first
day, lost to Hendri 3-6, 4-6, to follow in third place. The 19-
year-old player will be eligible to join the team if he can win
two more matches.
"I will try my best to win at least two of my last three
matches," said Febi, who joined the Davis Cup team early this
year.
Seven players -- Suwandi, Febi, Hendri, Fahmi, Edy, Suhendar
and Sebastian -- are competing in the round-robin selection which
will end on Saturday. Four of them will be named to compete in
the SEA Games in Brunei Darussalam from Aug. 7 to Aug. 15.
The last spot in the team is being contested between Hendri,
Edy and Suhendar, each of whom has racked up one win and two
losses during the selection. Sebastian appears likely to miss out
on a place after losing all four of his matches.
Coach Deddy Prasetyo said if Edy failed to make the team,
Indonesia would lack a fine doubles player.
"All the players, whoever they are, can play doubles, but
maybe not as well as Edy," he said.
Deddy expressed hope the Indonesian Tennis Association
officials would affirm the selection results.
"The selection system was applied following suggestions from
many people, including former national team members and other
coaches."
On Thursday, Febi and Hendri received sponsorship from Allianz
Life insurance, which will provide a US$25,000 coverage for each
of the athletes.
Deddy said he hoped the sponsorship deals would enable him to
arrange more international tournaments for both of the athletes.
(yan)