Team work gives Indonesia first gold medal

Novan Iman Santosa, The Jakarta Post, Busan, South Korea

It was a critical point for the Indonesians at the women's tennis team event when Wynne Adiati Prakusya was downed in the first match and Angelique Widjaja had yet to start the second singles match.

Everybody knew that if Wynne could not regain her composure and if Angie, as Angelique is more popularly known, lost her match, then it will be another nightmare for the Indonesian contingent at the Busan 2002 Asian Games.

But both girls beat the odds when they won Indonesia's first gold medal on the seventh day of the 14-day sporting event, defeating Japanese Miho Saeki and Saori Obata 2-1 late on Saturday evening.

Indonesian second singles Wynne lost the first match to Miho Saeki 6-7 (4-7), 7-5, 2-6.

Wynne was left 1-4 behind in the first set before catching up 5-5. Saeki took another game before Wynne forced the deciding gamer. Saeki, however, won the tie-break 7-4.

It was Wynne's turn to take the lead in the second set with 3- 0. Saeki fought back to draw 3-3, but was again left behind 5-3.

Needing to win the last game, Wynne made too many unforced errors allowing Saeki to equal the score at 5-5. Wynne, however, won the set 7-5 when Saeki's return crashed into the net.

Saeki stormed back in the decider with a 3-0 lead. A frustrated Wynne threw down her racket at the end of the third game. But she managed to reduce the deficit 1-3 before Saeki cruised again 4-1 with a controversial call at the critical point of 40-30.

Wynne, the world's No. 105, let Saeki's return go untouched believing it was out of her court. The linesman, however, called it an in giving Saeki's the 5-1 lead.

Bundling up her courage, Wynne again reduced the deficit 5-2 before Saeki called it off with a 6-2 victory in two hours and 32 minutes. Wynne failed to reach Saeki's return coming from her right side.

Angie managed to tie the match 1-1 after defeating Saori Obata 7-5, 6-4 in the match of the baseliners.

Angie opened the first set with a 2-0 lead only to allow Obata to take over the charge with a 3-2 lead when Angie's return hit the net.

Both players were engaged in baseline drives and long rallies counting on the opponent to make unexpected unforced errors. It was apparent that Angie was trying to wear down Obata's stamina.

Obata, however, managed to chase the ball wherever it went although it was obvious that she kept trying to catch her breath during the match.

They also trailed each other's points closely at 5-5. Angie took the lead back 6-5 and closed the first set 7-5 without allowing Obata to score a single point.

Entering the second set, Angie was more relaxed and won it quite easily 6-4.

In the deciding match, Angie and Wynne performed excellent team work covering their side of the court and speeded up to a 3- 0 lead. The Japanese managed to trail 2-3 and 3-4 before the Indonesians closed it 6-4.

The second set became a more one-sided match with the Indonesians dictated the whole game with a perfect 6-0 victory.

Both Angie and Wynne played in a relaxed manner having forgotten Wynne's defeat.

They played aggressively sending the Japanese all over their own side of the court to return the ball.

Wynne, who has extensive experience in doubles matches, often intercepted the ball mid-air leaving the Japanese stunned.

"I took a lesson from my defeat in the first match. I played too seriously creating huge tension for myself.

"That's why we played in a more relaxed manner in the doubles match," Wynne said after the match.

"After the defeat, I told myself to focus on the doubles match because I was sure that Angie could level the point. Thank God we won after all."

Meanwhile, coach Suzanna Anggarkusuma said she focused on helping Wynne recover her composure saying that Angie would win her match.

"Angie's match had not yet started when I told Wynne that Angie would win. But as a coach I have to rebuild my team's confidence.

"I must admit that the match was one of the most exceptional matches played by Wynne."