Author Archive
Damayanti & Rompies into quarterfinals, Tananta stumbled
Fifth-seeded Ayu Fani Damayanti and unseeded Jessy Rompies cruised into quarterfinals in “Fergana Women’s Challenger” being held in Fergana, Uzbekistan on Wednesday, July 27, 2011. Balinese Damayanti secured a comfortable win over 16 years old local Sabina Sharipova 6-3, 6-0 in second round. It was a sweet revenge indeed by Damayanti since she bowed out to her younger opponent 7-5, 1-6, 2-6 in their first meeting back in Tanjung Selor’s Challenger last year.
Damayanti next faces Japanese fourth seed Shiho Akita, who posted a relatively easy victory 6-2, 6-3 over local qualifier Natella Nabieva. It will be Damayanti’s 4th quarterfinal of this season in the same kind of tourney after Kunming, Bangkok and Balikpapan. It is also going to be Akita’s 4th quarterfinal appearance in challenger this year after Mildura (Australia), Niigata (Japan) and Wrexham (Great Britain).
Three Indonesians through in Uzbekistan
Three top Indonesian women players earned victories in the opening round of “Fergana Women’s Challenger” with total prize money of US $ 25,000 being held at Istiklol Tennis Club in Fergana, Uzbekistan on Tuesday, 26 July, 2011.
Current number one in Indonesia and designated as 5th seed Ayu Fani Damayanti did not have much problem to outclass local wild card Alina Abdurakhimova 6-0, 6-2. Damayanti is ranked at WTA 297 as per July 25, 2011, while her 16 years old opponent has no professional ranking.
Also advancing into second round was 8th seed Lavinia Tananta as she cruised past American qualifier Alexandra Riley 6-4, 6-2. Meanwhile the youngest among these three players, unseeded Jessy Rompies had to work hard to secure her berth in the next round. Rompies who is currently ranked at WTA 474, eventually ended Russian Alexandra Artamonova’s strong challenge with 7-6(2), 6-4 victory.
Top seed 17 years old French Caroline Garcia had an easy outing after she crushed local qualifier Gulchekhra Muhammadsidikova 6-0, 6-0. Garcia is now ranked at WTA 158 and in her performance at Roland Garros last May, she was quite impressive when she imposed difficulty against former world number one Maria Sharapova despite three sets defeat in the end.
An early upset was capitalized by local Nigina Abduraimova after she shocked and eased past second seed Slovenian Tadeja Majeric 6-1, 6-3. Another casualty was Japanese 7th seed Chiaki Okadaue who bowed out to Danka Kovinic from Montenegro 3-6, 5-7.
In doubles competition, top seed pair Damayanti/Tananta had to face a bitter loss as they were beaten 3-6, 5-7 by Garcia/Kovinic (Grance/Montenegro) in the first round. Meanwhile Rompies is partnered with American Riley and they are placed as 3rd seed. Playing together for the very first time, duo Rompies/Riley claimed an easy win 6-1, 6-2 over local pair Guzalhon Nizamova/Rano Nizamova.
Thailand defeated Indonesia 4-1
Thailand qualified for the finals of the Davis Cup Asia/Oceania Zone Group 2 after a comfortable 4-1 win over Indonesia at Muang Thong Thani yesterday.
The Thai team will meet South Korea in the final in September.
Thailand went into yesterday’s action with a 2-1 lead with Thai number one Danai Udomchoke keen to win the point required for his team to progress.
Udomchoke’s opponent Christopher Rungkat began well and moved into a 3-1 lead, but Udomchoke came back strongly to win the first set 6-4.
From that point Udomchoke took strong command, sailing through the next two sets 6-2, 6-1 to clinch the match for Thailand.
In the dead rubber Thailand’s Kittipong Wachiramanowong emerged victorious after Elbert Sie withdrew after two tight sets, suffering from heatstroke. The Indonesian won the first set 7-6 (4) but Wachiramanowong rallied to take the second set 7-5.
However, with the match being played in blistering heat, Sie was unable to carry on, suffering from heatstroke.
Thai team captain Thanakorn Srichaphan said he was happy with the final scoreline. “Udomchoke and the twins played to their normal standards while Wachiramanowong gained a lot of useful experience,” he said.
LTAT secretary general, Saran Rangkasiri said he was happy with the result, but warned it would be a much tougher fixture against South Korea. “The Koreans will probably opt for a clay court which our players are not used to,” he said. “But I anticipate a close match.”
