Young players shine in tennis selection

JAKARTA (JP): When young tennis players beat senior players in the selection tournament at the Senayan tennis courts yesterday they proved that their country will most likely have to rely on them in future international events.

Indonesian young hopeful Andrian Raturandang, a member of this year's Davis Cup team, had no trouble beating former Davis Cupper Bonit Wiryawan 6-3, 6-2.

East Timorese player Sebastian da Costa, also a former member of the Davis Cup team, had to work hard before defeating old hand Sulistyo Wibowo. Left-handed Sebastian beat Sulistyo 6-2, 1-6, 6- 4.

Both Andrian and Sebastian were members of the team when Indonesia lost to China 0-5 in the Davis Cup match here in March.

The round-robin tournament will determine the ranks of winners and runners-up of four groups to select eight national players who will represent the country in international events in the near future.

Junior Febi Widhiyanto, who surprised tennis lovers after beating seniors Tjahyono and Yustedjo Tarik in the qualifying round on Monday, lost yesterday to Djanuar Radjab in a tight battle of 4-6, 5-7.

Samsudin Pare, another junior, surprisingly overcame senior Suhendar Dinata 6-2, 6-3 to win the first round-robin match.

The tournament was set to pick the country's best players, specially to tackle Chinese Taipei in a Davis Cup match in September in Taipei.

The eight players will form the nucleus of the country's national team and will be officially inaugurated tomorrow at Le Meridien Hotel.

Today's matches will see Sulistyo meet Bonit, Djanuar face Samsudin, Andrian oppose Sebastian and Febi challenge Suhendar. (yan)