JAKARTA, April 26 (Xinhua) -- The 4-0 defeat by China at the Fed Cup World
Group II first round here on Sunday has taught Indonesia a lesson, the Jakarta
Post reported on Wednesday.
"This is a good lesson for us and we have plenty of homework to do for the
Asian Games," said the Indonesian Tennis Association (Pelti) chairwoman Martina
Widjaja after the matches at the Bung Karno Tennis Stadium in Senayan, Central
Jakarta.
She did not elaborate on the lessons but tennis fans may well agree that the
speed, power and aggressive play of Chinese players were their key to
victory.
Fast and powerful serves, strong return strokes and deep smashes with high
accuracy by the Chinese players -- famous for their aggressive baseline style --
even when cornered repeatedly shocked the Indonesians.
A beautiful combination of volleys and strokes and the long rallies between
points by Indonesians were a good tactic to upset impatient Chinese players,
sometimes making them make unforced errors.
It was nice to watch but the Indonesians spoiled their chances of
collecting points, said the paper.
First singles Angelique "Angie" Widjaja lost to Li Na in three sets 3-6,
6-4, 6-3 in the first rubber Saturday, while second singles Romana Tedjakusuma
bowed to Peng Shuai 2-6, 6-4, 6-0.
Romana failed to use the slight chance Sunday in the reversed singles
against Li and lost 6-3, 6-4 while Angie bowed out 6-4, 6-0 to Peng. The last
doubles were not played due to heavy rain.
Pelti's national team coach Bill Tym said Indonesian players should start
to adopt a more aggressive style of play rather than "cutie playing".
"Many Indonesian players have all the good skills needed. Good movement,
good hands, except the (aggressive) style," said the American recently.
Instead of the aggressive serve-and-volley play, many national players play
"cat-and-mouse tennis", which means a nice show of skills but definitely not in
point collection, he added.
"This perhaps is deeply rooted in the Indonesian culture. That's why most
players are already comfortable with their style and will find it difficult to
change," he said.
According to Tym, more touring to tournaments in the United States and Europe
will give the players exposure to the aggressive style of play.
Non-playing captain and Fed Cup coach Suzanna Anggarkusuma called on her
team members and their second stringers to boost their confidence and skills by
gaining more experience in different styles of play through international
tournaments.
Angie, who is struggling from 1,200s after a two-year injury layoff, said
she would head to Europe in mid-May for one-and-a-half months for the WTA and
ITF Challenger tournaments in a bid to return to the world's top 100.
"I have to go back to square one. And I know that it's going to be tougher
amid tighter competition," said the 2001 Wimbledon and 2002 Rolland Garros
junior champion with best pro career at 55th in 2003.
Similarly, Romana will tour in the U.S. Challenger US$50,000 and $20,000
tournaments after the Fed Cup.
"Besides the international touring, I also ask the players to stay fit and
to not get injured so they can play in top form in the next match. I hope Wynne
(Prakusya) recovers and joins the squad later," Suzanna said.
Wynne, the best national player so far, missed the match due toa nagging
injury.
Indonesia now has to gear up for a play-off match on July 15 and 16.
Indonesia defeated Puerto Rico 4-1 during the World Group II play-offs last year
to advance to the World Group II. Enditem