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Without top player, Indonesia puts trust in David, Aditya in Manila
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Indonesia’s Anthony Susanto (left to right) poses with teammate Sunu Wahyu Trijati as well as the Philippines’ Treat Huey and Francis Casey Alcantara after a draw in the Davis Cup Group II of Asia/Oceania Zone in Manila on Thursday. The two pairs are set to face-off on Saturday. (Pelti)
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ndonesia will have to rely on David Agung Susanto and Aditya Hari Sasongko in the Davis Cup Asia/Oceania Zone Group II against the Philippines in Manila, as its top player, Christopher Rungkat, has opted to compete in a different tennis tournament in the United States.
In addition to David and Aditya, Indonesia has also deployed Sunu Wahyu Trijati and Anthony Susanto for the showdown this weekend, with the first two carrying the pressure of opening at the Philippine Columbian Association (PCA) tennis stadium.
Meanwhile, Christopher, world number 224 in doubles, has opted to pursue a doubles title with India’s Jeevan Nedunchezhiyan in the RBC Tennis Championships in Dallas, US. The pair is set to play their quarterfinals match on Thursday evening, or Friday morning Jakarta time.
The Manila battle will become the 11th meet between Indonesia and the Philippines. The visiting team holds the advantage of having won six of the clashes.
The three-day tournament will have two singles matches on day one, a doubles match on day two and two singles matches on the last day.
In the opening match on Friday, David, the world number 740, is set to face the host’s second player in the lineup, Alberto Lim, the world number 10 in the junior category. The Manila bout will be Lim’s Davis Cup debut.
“The draw [against Lim] is actually what I expected. I really wanted to play in the opener because I usually perform calmer on day one,” said the 25-year-old in a statement.
“I plan to immediately counter his aggressiveness once we’re on the court. I hope my past experience in Davis Cup matches will help me to win the opening match.”
In the second match on Friday, Indonesia will have Aditya square off against Philippine favorite Ruben Gonzales. The left-hander visitor said he was familiar with Gonzales’ style, which should be beneficial for him.
“I defeated [Gonzales] in an ITF [International Tennis Federation] men’s future match in 2011, but he beat me in a SEA [Southeast Asian] Games match in 2015.
“So far, we are 1-1. But I believe [Friday’s match] will be momentum for me to earn an away victory,” said the 29-year-old.
On Saturday, Indonesia is set to send off a senior-and-junior pair, Sunu and Anthony, to face host pair Treat Conrad Huey and Francis Casey Alcatara. The names on both ends, however, are subject to change one hour before the match.
Team Indonesia’s head coach Suharyadi said a change of players on the second day was possible. “First, we need to see what will happen on day one. Afterward, we can decide who will play in doubles.”
On the last day of the tournament, the match-ups will likely be David versus Gonzales and Aditya versus Lim. (nkn)
