Suwandi not fit, slimming RI Davis Cup chances

JAKARTA (JP): With doubts hanging over main singles player Suwandi's fitness, the Indonesian tennis team's chances in the Asia-Oceania relegation play-off match against China look slim.

The tie, to be played at the Kemayoran tennis complex, begins on Friday, with Peter Handoyo drawn to take on Yu Zhang in the first singles. Suwandi will be up against Zu Beng Qiang. The visiting team is led by Ma Ke-Qin.

"But I doubt if he (Suwandi) will be fit in time. And with him being in such a condition, I'm very pessimistic about the team's chances," Benny Mailili, a tennis official, told The Jakarta Post here on Thursday.

Suwandi is still nursing an abdominal injury he suffered in the men's singles final match at the Southeast Asian Games in Kuala Lumpur over the weekend.

Benny said Suwandi was the player on whom the country's hopes were resting.

"We can't expect much from Peter. He hasn't enough tournament experience," he said.

Benny also lamented the fact that the team had to enter the competition with only four days rest after their Kuala Lumpur outing.

"They've hardly been able to get their breath back after their earlier matches as they've had to start preparations again soon after they arrived back here," said Benny, who is also the public relations officer of the Indonesian Tennis Association (Pelti).

Pelti officials, Benny said, appeared to be indifferent about the hectic schedule for the Indonesian team.

"I was very concerned about the schedule and suggested that the officials propose to the ITF (International Tennis Federation) that the dates be rescheduled.

"In my opinion, we should have had at least a one-week break between matches," he said.

Indonesia suffered a 5-0 drubbing by China in their last encounter in 1996 event.

Now they have to play again after each were beaten twice in their most recent ties. Indonesia was beaten 2-3 by Uzbekistan in Jakarta last February and 1-4 by South Korea in Seoul in July.

China's defeats were at the hands of India 3-2 and Thailand 5- 0.

The winner of the three-day competition will stay in the Asia Oceania group which is currently incorporates Japan, New Zealand, India, Thailand, Korea and Uzbekistan. The loser will be relegated to group two.

Order of play (Indonesia named first):

Friday Peter Handoyo vs Yu Zhang (10.30 a.m.) Suwandi vs Zu Beng Qiang

Saturday Bonit Wiryawan/Sulistyo Wibowo vs Yang Zhing Zu/Li Si (11 a.m.)

Sunday Suwandi vs Yu Zhang (10.30 a.m.) Peter Handoyo vs Zu Beng Qiang