Suwandi ready to fight for selection

JAKARTA (JP): Former Davis Cupper Suwandi faces a great challenge from old hands Abdul Kahar MIM and Yustedjo Tarik and junior M. Syahid in group B of the preselection tournament for Indonesia's next national team.

"I'll do my best to win the group," Suwandi said of his chances in the tournament, to be staged by the Indonesian Tennis Association's National Tennis Body at the Senayan clay courts from Thursday to Saturday.

"Everybody must want to join the country's Super Eight," he added.

The Super Eight -- Andrian Raturandang, Sebastian da Costa, Bonit Wiryawan, Sulistyo Wibowo, Suhendar Dinata, Djanuar Radjab, Feby Widhiyanto and Samsudin Pare -- were installed as the Super Eight after the first selection tournament in June.

Suwandi, who missed the tournament due previous commitments in China Taipei, said that he had met the three players in tournaments before.

"I beat Yustedjo and Abdul Kahar about three years ago," said Suwandi, who has been Indonesia's number one for more than a year.

Chairman of the body Wimar Witoelar said yesterday that 10 national players and six juniors, aged between 16 and 20, have registered themselves for the tournament.

Eight players from the preselection qualify for the selection against the Super Eight.

Benny Mailili, a member of the body, said that the round-robin tournament will feature the best of three tie-break sets.

"The winners and runners-up in each group will challenge the Super Eight in December," he said.

"We have tried to make a fair draw by splitting the best four into four groups," he added. (yan)