Wynne eyes SEAG singles gold

Wynne eyes SEAG singles gold

Musthofid, The Jakarta Post, Manila

All of 1.6 meters tall and 50 kilograms, Wynne Prakusya has
proven to be a powerhouse in bringing home golds for Indonesia in
the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games.

On Monday, Wynne was part of the women's tennis team that
defeated Thailand in the final -- her sixth gold medal since she
made her debut in the regional multisport event in 1997 in
Jakarta.

This week, she will vie for her seventh in the singles, the
one gold that has escaped her haul from team and women's and
mixed doubles competitions.

"It seems that it's the one that has eluded me in my SEA Games
participation," said Wynne, 24, who has become the de facto
number one singles player in the extended absence of injured
Angelique "Angie" Widjaja.

The player from Surakarta, Central Java, said she felt more
confident after a 6-4, 7-6 (7/5) victory over Suchanan
Viratprasert, who she lost to at the 2003 Games, and is regaining
her form after returning to competitive play in April following a
six-month injury layoff.

Once ranked as high as 74 on the WTA Tour, Wynne's ranking
slipped to the low 400s early this year. She has climbed back to
235 as of Monday on the strength of a strong showing on the
Challenger circuit.

"I've been feeling better and better recently. I take pride in
the fact that I have won 12 titles this year, four in singles and
eight in doubles, since April," said Wynne, whose last Challenger
title came in Jakarta earlier this month.

Wynne attributed her improved play to her training regimen
with American technical consultant Bill Tym, who was a U.S.
nationally ranked player in the 1960s.

"I have improved my service with him. He has also given me
valuable tips on the mental side of the game," she said.

"I've become more mature in figuring out my play. Even when I
lose I would not say I played badly, but the opponent played
better than me."

That was evident in a close finish to the match on Monday.

Wynne failed to convert a matchpoint late in the second set,
and fell behind in the tiebreak. While she might have succumbed
to nerves in the past, frittering away points and allowing her
opponent back in to the match, she held her nerve this time
around for the win.

Wynne refused to take the credit for the victory, deferring to
veteran team member Romana Tedjakusuma. The 29-year-old
California-based Romana set Indonesia on the way to victory by
taking the first singles match.

"She's more experienced than me and I respect her," she said.

Wynne also helped Indonesia overcome Puerto Rico in the Fed
Cup playoffs earlier this year, and she said she would always be
available to play for the national squad.

"For me, playing for Indonesia in multisport events like the
SEA Games is an honor. As long as I still have the strength and
am entrusted with the task, I will be happy to play."