Suwandi injured as RI loses out in tennis golds
Suwandi injured as RI loses out in tennis golds
By Novan Iman Santosa
KUALA LUMPUR (JP): Thailand denied Indonesia a chance of
producing a clean sweep in the tennis competition at the 21st
Southeast Asian Games after winning both the men's singles and
doubles titles on Sunday.
Danai Udomchoke avenged his defeat in the men's team final on
Wednesday with his victory over Indonesian opponent Suwandi in
the men's singles final. The Thai overwhelmed Suwandi, who was
fighting a stomach injury, with an easy 6-3, 6-1 win.
Team manager Aga Soemarno said a doctor from the organizing
committee had recommended that Suwandi forfeit the final after he
strained his left stomach muscle.
"The doctor asked Suwandi to drop his final match, worrying
that he might risk further injury," he said, adding that Suwandi
would undergo a medical checkup as soon as he arrives home.
Suwandi told Aga of the pain after the team event final on
Wednesday but at that time he could bear it. The injury worsened
during Saturday's semifinals.
"The team then decided Suwandi should have a rest to give him
enough time to recover before our Davis Cup play-off match
against China on Friday," Aga said.
Indonesia will host China in the Davis Cup tie at Bung Karno
Tennis Complex. It is the fourth time both sides will meet in
over a decade.
Suwandi said he felt pain, particularly when he served or hit
backhand returns.
The injury has also forced him to withdraw from the mixed
doubles final, giving the gold medal to compatriots Angelique and
Bonit Wiryawan.
Danai completed a double victory as he won the men's doubles
with his veteran compatriot Vittaya Samrej. The Thais defeated
Indonesia's veteran pair of Bonit and Sulistyo Wibowo 7-6 (7-4),
6-3, 6-3.
The Indonesians had served the first set 5-4, but failed to
take the remainder of the match as the Thais increased pressure
to force a tiebreaker, which they won.
"Sulistyo and Bonit could have won the first set when they
were 5-4 up and held the serve. But in the second set, it seemed
that the Thais were saving their energy as Danai had previously
played the singles final," said Aga.
Aga also said the Indonesian pair failed to cover their
loopholes and lacked exercise, especially on Sulistyo's side.
Bonit and Angelique won the mixed doubles event without
hitting a ball. The gold was the fifth win by Indonesians in the
tennis competition.
The last time Indonesia made a clean sweep was in Jakarta four
years ago. It won two gold medals in Bandar Seri Begawan in 1999.
Led by its top player Paradorn Srichapan, Thailand collected
four golds in 1999.
"We are all quite happy with our achievement in this year's
SEA Games because we expected only three golds," said Aga.(nvn)