Yayuk Basuki sets up rematch with Fang Li
Yayuk Basuki sets up rematch with Fang Li
BANGKOK (JP): Indonesia's Yayuk Basuki powered her way to the
semifinals of the 13th Asian Games tennis women's singles
competition on Monday to set up a rematch with Fang Li of China.
The two seeded players showed mastery and maturity to dictate
their respective quarterfinal matches. They dropped only eight
games between them and raised their self-confidence ahead of
their second meeting in a week.
World number 58 and third seed Yayuk posted a comfortable 6-3,
6-2 win over Iroda Tulyaganova of Uzbekistan, while Fang saw off
Nirupama Vaidyanathan of India 6-1, 6-2.
Yayuk, who lost to Fang in two achingly close tiebreakers in
the team event on Thursday, paid the price of getting off to a
slow start as she fell 1-3 behind. She quickly regained her form
to sweep the next six games in a row for the opening set.
The Indonesian had an easier time in the second set as
16-year-old Tulyaganova lost her temper at critical moments.
Several times Tulyaganova threw her racket to the
ground after losing points. Serving at 2-5 down, she handed the match
to Yayuk with a double fault.
Yayuk, 28, gave credit to her young opponent. "Iroda played
good tennis today and she is blessed with powerful serves and
groundstrokes."
Yayuk's coach and husband Suharyadi agreed. He said Yayuk
could have been upset had the Uzbek youth maintained her
composure.
Tulyaganova said: "It's OK to lose to a player ranked among
the top 60. I'm proud to play her today. She's a good player."
Speaking about her chance in the semifinals, Yayuk said she
would go all out for a revenge.
"I have found my touch and I'm highly motivated. I will do my
best because I'm donning the national colors at this big event.
"My movement is improving and I don't have any problem at all.
Insya Allah (God willing) I will play my best tennis."
Yayuk beat Fang in the 1990 and 1994 Asian Games, but the
Indonesian played down the historical advantage.
"Let's forget the past because Li has improved really well.
Tomorrow will be different," said Yayuk, who has not played
singles on the tour since September.
Suharyadi said the Chinese had good attacking and defensive
skills.
"Yayuk must be aware, particularly of Li's defense. Yayuk will
face a great danger if she keeps moving up to the net."
Yayuk thanked a group of Indonesian students who cheered her
on during Monday's match and hoped they would give her moral
support in Tuesday's semifinal.
"I need their support. Their yells and songs boosted my
performance."
About 50 students were deployed by the National Sports Council
chairman Wismoyo Arismunandar to the Thammasat University tennis
complex to support Yayuk on Monday.
Indonesia's men players left the Asiad empty-handed after the
doubles team of Bonit Wiryawan and Sulistyo Wibowo crashed 6-7
(2-7), 6-4, 4-6 to Indian fourth seeds Mahesh Bhupathi and
Fazaluddin Syed in the quarterfinals later in the day. (yan)