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RI team confident to add winning record over Malaysia
Despite a rather minimal preparation, the Indonesian Davis Cup team is loaded with confidence in the lead up to their first round matches against Malaysia in the Asia/Oceania Group II qualifier in Kuala Lumpur on March 5-7
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espite a rather minimal preparation, the Indonesian Davis Cup team is loaded with confidence in the lead up to their first round matches against Malaysia in the Asia/Oceania Group II qualifier in Kuala Lumpur on March 5-7.
The team arrived in the neighboring country’s capital on Tuesday, and are aiming for a victory to
add to their head-to-head record of 3-0 win.
“We are optimistic that we will advance to the second round in July and meet Thailand, who will most likely top the other pool,” Indonesian Tennis Association (Pelti) deputy secretary-general August Ferry Raturandang told The Jakarta Post on Tuesday.
“We are not worried, just look at our head-to-head record. Unless something out of the ordinary happens, like our players falling ill, we will be fine,” added Ferry.
The country’s male players consist of Christopher Rungkat, Sunu Wahyu Trijati, Ketut Nesa Arta, David Agung Susanto and team captain Surya Wijaya Budi.
Christopher and Sunu are scheduled to play the two singles matches on Friday. The following day, Christopher will be paired with Nesa for the sole doubles match, while two more singles matches will be played on the last day.
Christopher is currently Indonesia’s best male tennis player, ranked 1,250 on the ATP, while Sunu is ranked 1,739.
Meanwhile, Malaysia, which is led by team captain Singaram Selva Rajoo, will play Adam Jaya (ATP 1,435), Yew Ming Si (ATP 1,463), Ariez Elyaas Deen Heshaam and Ahmed Deedat Abdul Razak.
“Malaysia is counting on Yew Ming as most of their players are juniors,” said Ferry.
Ariez is currently number 523 in the ITF junior ranks, while Ahmed ranks 539.
The first round of Davis Cup Asia/Oceania Group II runs on March. 5-7 in four countries, namely Malaysia that hosts Indonesia, Thailand that hosts Pacific Oceania, Hong Kong that hosts Pakistan and Sri Lanka that hosts New Zealand.
Winners in the round advance to the second round and the losers go to the play-offs in July 9-11. The third and final round will be held on Sept. 17-19.
Last year, Indonesia beat Kuwait 3-2 in the first round and advanced to the semifinals of Asia/Oceania Zone Group II for the fourth successive year, only to be beaten 0-5 by New Zealand.
Indonesia last competed in Group I in 2005. The last time Indonesia had its best Davis Cup performance were back in 1983 and 1989.
Christopher is currently Indonesia’s best male tennis player, ranked 1,250 on the ATP, while Sunu is ranked 1,739.
