Wynne, Mimma fight to qualify in Wismilak tourney

SURABAYA (JP): Indonesia's young hopefuls Wynne Prakusya and Mimma Chernovita still have to fight to qualify for the main draw of the 1997 Wismilak International women's tennis tournament here this week.

Yesterday, Wynne beat Nora Koves of Hungary 6-3, 6-4 while Mimma beat junior Dewi Cynthia 6-0, 6-2.

Wynne will come head to head with Sara Ventura of Italy, who beat Renata Kolbovic of Canada 4-6, 6-3, 6-3, in today's qualifying quarterfinals, while Mimma will face Martina Nejedly of Canada, who defeated Jasmine Choudhury of England 7-5, 6-2.

Another national player, Liza Andriyani, who defeated compatriot Eny Sulistyowati on Saturday, lost in a walkover with Maureen Drake of Canada.

Drake will meet Madoka Kuki of Japan, who beat Nina Nittinger of Germany 6-2, 6-2.

Another semifinal berth will be fought between Khoo Chin-bee of Malaysia, who defeated Marina Escobar of Spain 6-4, 7-5, and Sandri Obata of Japan, who beat compatriot Miyako Ataka 6-1, 6-3.

The organizing committee chairman, Stefanus Handoyo, said that the organizers handed over special awards to players who have competed four times. They are defending champion Wang Shi-ting of Chinese Taipei, Park Sung-hee of South Korea and Rika Hiraki of Japan.

The main draw, which will start on Sept. 22 and end on Sept. 28, will include Dominique van Roost of Belgium, Henrieta Nagyova of Slovakia, Tamarine Tanasugarn of Thailand, two-time winner Wang, Yuko Yoshida of Japan, Sara Pitskowski of France, Rachel McQuillan of Australia, Adriana Gersi of the Czech Republic, Cristina Torrens Valero of Spain and Maria Alejandra Vento of Venezuela.

The winner of the tournament will receive US$35,400, the runner-up will get $16,700, while semifinalists will receive $8,550 each. The organizers provide a total prize money of US$155,340. (nur/yan)