Wynne upbeat to grab gold in doubles with Romana

JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia's highest-ranked women's singles tennis player, Wynne Prakusya, was optimistic about winning gold in the women's doubles with senior Romana Tedjakusuma in the 20th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Brunei Darussalam, despite only recently recovering from a back injury.

"I think Romana and I have a very good chance to win the gold in the doubles event," she told reporters on Monday.

"We also have a chance to win gold in the team event because the second single will likely be Romana and I think she's experienced enough in the event."

Indonesia hopes to win three gold medals in the women's of singles, doubles and team events.

Two years ago, the Indonesian team won all women's events after upsetting first-seeded Thailand. Wukirasih Sawondari upset then world No. 37 Tamarine Tanasugarn to get the singles gold, Liza Andriyani and Wynne Prakusya in the doubles and the women's team.

"In the singles event, I think I also have a chance," said Wynne, who is ranked in the world 200s.

Wynne said she missed three warming up Challenger tournaments in the United States -- in New Jersey, Kentucky and Atlanta -- due to her back injury.

"I suffered the injury when I was playing in the Little Rock tournament in June. My doctor and my coach suggested I take a break for about two weeks. After that Bill Tym, who supervised my training in the United States, urged me to choose between my international tournaments and the SEA Games."

"I prefer to play in the SEA Games because it's a biennial event while there are more than 20 satellites and challenges in a year."

Coach Suharyadi said Wynne's poor form in the West Java Governor's Cup last week was due to her recent injury and influenza.

"After returning from the United States, Wynne must recover from her injury first. But then she caught a cold and had to take a one-week rest. Now she's improving and I hope she can reach her peak in Brunei," he said.

Wynne saw Thailand, the Philippines and Malaysia as the toughest rivals in the Games from Aug. 7 to Aug. 15.

"The Thailand second stringers have equal technical skills. But the Philippines and Malaysia have only one top player each."

Wynne admitted that she had a burden as the highest-ranked player in the Games.

"Of course I have more pressure on me. But I can overcome it by considering them as my contenders in professional tournaments instead of SEA Games rivals."

Indonesia also aims to steal one gold in the mixed doubles.

"We have prepared several pairs to compete in the event. But we have yet to make any decisions on who will be fielded there," Suharyadi said.

Pelti is preparing combinations of Suwandi and Wukirasih, Liza and Hendri Susilo Pramono, Hendri and Wukirasih and Suwandi and Romana.

However, Indonesia is not optimistic in the men's events.

Coach Tintus Arianto Wibowo named Thailand and the Philippines as the toughest opponents in the Games.

"I hope the players will be able to get revenge on the Philippines because they beat us here in the Davis Cup early this year," he said.

The first tennis match will be on Monday at a plexipave outdoor court.

Suwandi, the 1993 Games gold medalist, named Paradorn Srichaphan of Thailand and Joseph Lizardo and Bryan Juinio of the Philippines as his toughest rivals.

"I will concentrate on the singles and I hope to do my best," he said. (yan)