Suwandi qualifies for national selection

JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia's former number one tennis player Suwandi needed only seven minutes to emerge as Group D champion after Abdul Kahar MIM withdrew early in the first set in the national preselection tournament yesterday at the Senayan clay courts.

Suwandi was leading 3-0 when Abdul Kahar retired because of a an injury to his left foot he suffered on Friday.

Although he failed to complete the match, Abdul Kahar still qualifies for the next selection trial on Dec. 2. thanks to his victories over old warhorse Yustedjo Tarik and rookie Muhammad Syahid.

"I was not really sure I could win against Suwandi because I pulled a leg muscle yesterday. I only had two weeks to prepare myself," a dismayed Abdul Kahar said.

Suwandi appeared somewhat upset at the way the match ended.

"I've prepared myself for the tournament especially to fight against Kahar," he was quoted by Antara as saying.

Abdul Kahar was never able to serve and always failed to return the ball. He suddenly shook Suwandi's hand and told the referee that he was unable to play on.

In Group B, juniors Stanley Sanger and Mario Ronaldo played for one-and-a-half hours.

Stanley won the first set 3-6, but Mario staged a tremendous comeback to win the next two sets, 6-4, 6-2.

At the end of the tournament, eight players qualified for the national selection trial. They were Suwandi, Abdul Kahar MIM, Tjahjono, Jefri Trihandiansyah, Edo Bawono, Donny Susetyo, Edy Kusdaryanto and Yusmawan Fahmi.

The eight qualifiers will challenge members of the Super Eight: Andrian Raturandang, Sebastian da Costa, Bonit Wiryawan, Sulistyo Wibowo, Suhendar Dinata, Djanuar Radjab, Febi Widhiyanto and Samsudin Pare. (yan)

Results

Group A: Tjahjono bt Mulyadi 7-6, 6-1; Jefri Trihandiansyah bt Haryadi Lesmana 6-2, 6-4

Group B: Suwandi bt Abdul kahar MIM 3-0 (ret); Muhammad Syahid bt Yustedjo Tarik 6-4, 6-3

Group C: Edy Kusdaryanto bt Surya Wijaya 6-2, 6-3; Yusmawan Fahmi bt Hedri Susilo 7-6, 6-2

Group D: Edo Bawono bt Donny Susetyo 6-3, 6-3; Stanley Sanger bt Mario Ronaldo 3-6, 6-4, 6-2