Yayuk nears end of career with Asian Games gold

Yayuk nears end of career with Asian Games gold

By Primastuti Handayani

BANGKOK (JP): Indonesian number one Yayuk Basuki closed the
penultimate chapter in her career and contributed another gold to
her country by making short work of hometown favorite Tamarine
Tanasugarn in the women's singles final of the 13th Asian Games.

As Tamarine failed to return a powerful Yayuk serve on match
point, the 28-year-old Indonesian raised both arms to signify her
6-4, 6-2 win in 90 minutes. The National Sports Council chairman
Wismoyo Arismunandar, council secretary-general Rudolf Warouw,
chef de mission Mochamad Hindarto and secretary Muhammad Sarengat
rose in a standing ovation.

Indonesian athletes already out of competition turned out to
support Yayuk although they were surrounded by a fervently pro-
Tammie crowd in the packed 3,00-seat stadium.

As Yayuk received her first Asiad gold medal in singles, her
teammates stood to sing the national anthem Indonesia Raya.

Currently world ranked 57 in a career in which she has risen
as high as 20, Yayuk took control from the outset against the top
seed.

Yayuk broke Tammy's serve to take the lead 3-2. She held her
serve at love for 4-2 before Tammy recouped for 3-4 in a game
which featured two aces. They continued to hold serve until Yayuk
closed out the set.

Although absent from singles tournaments for three months,
Yayuk dominated the court with her powerful forehand and net game
to lead 5-1 against the baseliner. Tammy salvaged some pride by
taking the seventh game to trail 2-5, but it was not enough to
stave off Yayuk's victory.

Yayuk, set to receive a Rp 50 million (US$6,700) cash bonus
from the council, said she strived to keep her pledge to bring
home a gold.

"I had promised to give my best to my country and I fulfilled
it. I'm really happy."

She was unperturbed by the raucous Thai supporters.

"They are great. They came here to support their player."

Yayuk said not relinquishing her grip on the match was key.

"I tried not to get carried away with Tammy's playing because
I would lose. I tried to just keep the ball in play. But I think
Tammy could not overcome my attacks today."

Yayuk will retire after the Australian Open in January. She
had played four times in the Asiad, winning the 1988 mixed
doubles gold in Seoul and 1990 mixed and women's doubles in
Beijing.

The two-time winner of the WTA Tour's Karen Krantzke Award for
sportsmanship silenced doubters, including the Thai press, who
believed a win for Tammy -- world ranked 43 and seven years
younger -- was a foregone conclusion.

Coach and husband Suharyadi said Yayuk was tense as the match
got underway.

"That's natural because she was representing her country. I
think Tammy had the same feeling."

Tammy said: "Yayuk played very well today with her serves and
strokes. Her balls were deep and she always attacked me. The
match was unbelievable. If anybody plays her, I think Yayuk has a
chance to win."

Tammy said she was not affected by pressure from her fans.

Tennis team manager Benny Mailili said a careful strategy
worked in Yayuk's win.

"Tammy loves to rally from side to side, but (we knew) if
Yayuk could use ball placement to move her forward and back, it
would be difficult for Tammy for return. And Yayuk applied the
strategy and she won.

"When we saw Tammy's play in the early games and that Yayuk
could break her serve in the beginning, we were sure that she
would win."

Hindarto said: "Yayuk didn't only beat Tammy but also Thai
fans. She played very beautifully today. She only made a few
unforced errors. I think it's her peak during the Asiad."