Wynne double winner at Jakarta Open

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.