Tennis: Indonesia’s Fed Cup Team to Face Hong Kong in Battle for Promotion

Ami Afriatni

Indonesia’s Fed Cup team emerged as Group B winner in Asia/Oceania Group II qualifying after successfully bagging a 3-0 win over Iran at the National Tennis Center in Astana, Kazakhstan on Friday, setting up a showdown with Hong Kong for group promotion.

The victory capped a dominant group stage performance by Indonesia, tallying all 3-0 sweeps in the team’s previous matches against the Philippines, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan and Malaysia.

Team coach Suharyadi on Friday said he was satisfied with his team’s performance.

“We played against Iran today and won. They have been giving their best so far and I’m proud of them,” Suharyadi said.

As Group B winner, Indonesia on Sunday will go up against Hong Kong, which came out as Group A champion to score a chance at promotion. Hong Kong topped the group by securing four victories over New Zealand, Turkmenistan, Singapore and Vietnam.

“I hope they still can play their best once again against Hong Kong, though I know they might start to feel exhausted,” Suharyadi said.

The coach said his team would face a real challenge this weekend, given the Hong Kong team’s strength. Hong Kong’s number one player, Venise Chan, is ranked 357th, while Indonesia’s best, Ayu Fani Damayanti, ranks 454th.

“They may have a higher ranked player, but it should be our advantage for us as the underdog to play without pressure.”

Playing against Iran, Indonesia clinched its first win when junior player Aldila Sutjiadi collected a 6-0, 6-0 victory over Arezou Youlghouni. Lavinia Tananta also secured a 6-0, 6-0 win over Maryam Mazaheri.

Paired with her senior Ayu, Aldila contributed another 6-0, 6-0 win against Sahar Najaei and Ghazaleh Torkaman.

The winner of Sunday’s showdown will advance to Asia/Oceania Group I in 2014.