Wynne double winner at Jakarta Open
Moch. N. Kurniawan, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
Indonesian tennis hopeful Wynne Prakusya gave herself a boost in confidence ahead of the Southeast Asian Games by winning two titles at the US$25,000 Jakarta ITF Women's Open on Sunday.
The fifth seed defeated seventh seed Chuang Chia-Jung of Chinese Taipei 6-4, 4-6, 6-1, before completing the victory in the doubles with Japanese partner Ryoko Fuda.
The second seeds took down top seeds Chuang and her Chinese Taipei compatriot Chan Yung-Jan, 6-4, 6-4.
"Thank God for the victory at home. It has been six years since I last played a tournament here," Wynne, who received the singles' top prize of US$2,940, said of her Chuang match.
Supported by dozens of spectators at the Hotel Hilton tennis courts in Central Jakarta, the 24-year-old Wynne faced a strong challenge from a spirited Chuang, four years her junior.
The match started off tightly with the more experienced Wynne relying on powerful shots and finely executed ball placing, while Chuang focussed more on her strong, sharp backhands and forehands.
At 4-4, Wynne, who is ranked 277th in the WTA Tour, surged her way ahead by breaking Chuang before holding her serve to wrap up the opener.
Wynne continued her winning run by taking a 1-0 lead in the second set, but she started to suffer double faults and a string of unforced errors. With her confidence eroding, she fell back further, handing world No. 310 Chuang a chance to fight back.
Chuang easily took the next five games on the trot for a 5-1 lead, before Wynne clawed her way back to reduce the gap to 5-4, partly helped by Chuang's inaccurate forehands.
Chuang began to become erratic with her forehands. However, Wynne threw away the chance to level the score as she failed to hold her service in the tenth game.
Entering the final set, Wynne began to attack Chuang on the right side, knowing that her opponent had a problem with her forehand.
The tactic worked, Chuang becoming frustrated with her forehands, either hitting the net or sailing too long.
Wynne pulled clear to 3-0, and after allowing Chuang one game the Indonesian star never looked back for a win that must have provided a boost for her leading role in the Indonesian tennis team at the SEA Games in Philippines later this month.
"My opponent has a sharp shot which put me in deep trouble, but I am glad I could develop my own rhythm," she said.
She said the double victory was a good omen for their tennis bid where Thailand and hosts Philippines would pose tough competitors. She will be the backbone of the team in the absence of Indonesia's number one Angelique Widjaja due to injury.
Meanwhile, Chuang offered her praise to the winner, saying Wynne played well and deserved to win.
"She played better than me today. I had problems with my forehands although my backhands were okay," she said.
Chuang failed to make amends for her singles loss when she also lost in the doubles final with Chan.
Tennis coach Bill Tym of the U.S., who has helped Wynne develop her game for six years, said Wynne did a very good job during the tournament.
He said his protege not only used her power, but was also able to minimize unforced errors.
"Wynne made a good improvement and her confidences is growing," said Tym, who in the past also coached past stars such as Suzanna Wibowo, Tintus Arianto Wibowo and Yustedjo Tarik.