Yayuk win puts her in for some rough water in England

JAKARTA (JP): Indonesian tennis queen Yayuk Basuki went smoothly through to the third round of the traditional Wimbledon warm-up at Eastbourne, England with a wrecking of South African Elna Reinach 6-2, 6-4 on Tuesday night.

Antara reported that Yayuk's power forehand and backhand slice proved too much for Reinach.

Yayuk, currently ranked in the top 40, favors grass more than any other surface despite the fact that Indonesia does not have such courts.

This victory, of course, does not mean things are going to get easy. Other top-seeded players also rolled into the third round such as Czech Helena Sukova who whipped American Caroline Kuhlman 6-4, 6-2.

Wimbledon

In the meantime, the Wimbledon draw, made available on Tuesday, indicated that Yayuk might be in rough water as she must fight Ukranian Natalia Medvedeva - currently no 24 in the world - in the first round at the Grand Slam event.

Worse still, even assuming that Yayuk overcomes Medvedeva, she must then face Bulgarian Magdalena Maleeva - world number 16.

Yayuk has reached the last 16 at Wimbledon in the past two tournaments. Her gallant bids there were by Steffi Graff and Conchita Martinez.

Before leaving for England, Yayuk promised to do her best, but humbly acknowledged that she is "realistic enough not to rate my chances against such a world beater as Graff in the first round."

Unfortunately, the unwanted seems to be happening for Yayuk. She needs all the good luck she can get at Wimbledon. (hdj)