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."