Two locals move to Governor Cup semis

JAKARTA (JP): A veteran and one of the country's best young players are the Indonesian representatives in today's semifinals of the Governor Cup Women's Satellite at the Kemayoran Tennis Center.

Irawati Moerid Iskandar, making a comeback after giving birth, upset fifth seeded Japanese Tomoe Hotta yesterday with a 2-6, 6- 4, 6-4 win in two and a half hours.

After dropping the first set 2-6, Irawati began to attack the Japanese's defensive play from the baseline with drop shots. She took the set and continued the strategy in the third set for the match.

Irawati next meets qualifier Parekh Jahnavi of India, who beat Chae Kyung-yee of South Korea 6-4, 6-3.

Wukirasih Sawondari, a member of the nation's Fed Cup team, upset compatriot Wynne Prakusya 7-6 (7-3), 6-1. Wynne has been tipped as the successor to Yayuk Basuki, ranked 22 in the world.

Wukirasih will challenge top seeded Keiko Ishida of Japan, who defeated Indonesian Liza Andriyani 6-3, 4-6, 6-2.

In the women's doubles, Yamagishi/Hotta beat Irawati/Mimma Chernovita of Indonesia 6-4, 6-0 for a spot in the semifinals.

The Japanese will meet Benjamas Sangaram/Chae Kyung-yee (Thailand/South Korea), who beat Indonesians Suzanna Wibowo/Marieke Gunawan 5-7, 6-3, 7-6 (6-3).

National Fed Cup duo Liza/Wynne defeated Chakravarthi/Frederika Girsang (Thailand/Indonesia) 6-3, 6-2. They face Wang Shi Ting/Hsu Hsueh Li of Chinese Taipei, who trounced Parekh/Jayalashmy of India 6-0, 6-1.

In the men's singles, top seeded Sebastian da Costa cruised into the semifinals after beating Novi Hendri 6-1, 6-0. Sebastian meets Suhendar Dinata, who beat Maria Ronaldo 6-2, 6-2.

Tjahyono beat Donny Susetyo 6-3, 6-1 to meet Febi Widhiyanto, a 6-1, 6-2 winner over Surya Wijaya.

In men's doubles, Sebastian/Surya beat Champy Halim/Suhendar Dinata 2-6, 6-3, 6-4 and will meet Yusmawan Fahmi/Ariawan, who beat Djanuar Radjab/Mulyadi 7-6 (7-3), 3-6, 6-3.

Today's semifinals begin at 9 a.m. (yan)