Perfect birthday gift and awesome back to back title by Han

In the final of two lefties between local player, fifth seed Lee Jin-A against sixth seed Han Xinyun of China, it was certainly a close match all the way and in the end birthday girl Han prevailed to capture her back to back title within two weeks with 7-5, 6-4 victory. So, it was truly perfect birthday present for herself, as Han turned 19 years old on May 30, 2009 at “ITF Nong Hyup International Women’s Circuit 2009” in its final in Goyang, South Korea on Sunday (May 31, 2009).

Meanwhile South Korea’s number one Lee failed to take a great opportunity in claiming her back to back 25K title after Gimcheon in early May 2009. Most of the players then continued to compete at the final 25K tourney in Gimhae which will start its main draw on June 2, 2009.

Ysidora Tobing learns the lesson as she exits immediately

Performing in her first ever grand slam main draw, currently ranked at ITF 50 Grace Sari Ysidora Tobing of Indonesia crashed out immediately in the opening round (round 64) of French Open Junior Championships in Roland Garros, Paris, France this Sunday afternoon (May 31, 2009). Playing at court 5, Ysidora Tobing bowed out easily to left-handed eigth seed Elena Bogdan of Romania 1-6, 1-6 in just 51 minutes. 17 years old Bogdan is currently ranked at ITF 7 and she was runner-up here at Roland Garros last year.

Match statistics - Bogdan (41% first serve percentage, 1 ace), Ysidora Tobing (66% first serve percentage, 1 double fault).

In doubles, Ysidora Tobing is partnered with Fatma Al-Nabhani from Oman. Next week, Ysidora Tobing who is member of ITF A team will play at Offenbach Grade 1 in Germany and as of now she is number 6 in the main draw. Meanwhile, three other Asians in the main draw of Roland Garros are fifth seed Noppawan "Nok" Lertcheewakarn of Thailand, Zarina Diyas from Kazakhstan and lucky loser Fatma Al-Nabhani of Oman.

Singles Qualifying draw

STEPHENS, Sloane (USA,1) vs. OMAE, Akiko (JPN)
GINIER, Jessica (FRA,WC) vs. VINOGRADOVA,Polina (RUS,16)

LINETTE, Magda (POL,2) vs. STOICA, Ilinca (ROU)
BOLENDER, Brooke (USA) vs. HAAS, Sina (GER,11)

ORLIK, Anna (BLR,3) vs. BROULEAU, Lou (FRA,WC)
DABROWSKI, Gabriela (CAN) vs. GUSKOVA, Nadejda (RUS,15)

BURDETTE, Mallory (USA,4) vs. COLLOMBON, Alix (FRA,WC)
BULGAKOVA, Vaszilisza (HUN) vs. AL NABHANI, Fatma (OMA,9)

SKAMLOVA, Chantal (SVK,5) vs. VAN DER MEET, Angelique (NED)
SARRAZIN, Laetitia (FRA,WC) vs. TREVISAN, Martina (ITA,14)

JUHASZOVA, Vivien (SVK,6) vs. GAUVAIN, Sybille (FRA,WC)
SHROFF, Kyra (IND) vs. MARENKO, Anna Arina (RUS,10)

MIKO, Zsofia (HUN,7) vs. KUMKHUM, Luksika (THA)
GARCIA, Caroline (FRA,WC) vs. CERCONE, Alexandra (USA,12)

MUTAGUCHI, Emi (JPN,8) vs. BOTTO, Bianca (PER)
EJDESGAARD, Malou (DEN) vs. NIKITINA, Ekaterina (RUS,13)

Q1

1-STEPHENS, Sloane (USA) d. OMAE, Akiko (JPN) 63 63
16-VINOGRADOVA, Polina (RUS) d. WC-GINIER, Jessica (FRA) 76(8) 63
2-LINETTE, Magda (POL) d. STOICA, Ilinca (ROU) 75 64
11-HAAS, Sina (GER) d. BOLENDER, Brooke (USA) 64 60

3-ORLIK, Anna (BLR) d. WC-BROULEAU, Lou (FRA) 64 60
15-GUSKOVA, Nadejda (RUS) d. DABROWSKI, Gabriela (CAN) 26 62 63
4-BURDETTE, Mallory (USA) d. WC-COLLOMBON, Alix (FRA) 63 63
9-AL NABHANI, Fatma (OMA) d. BULGAKOVA, Vaszilisza (HUN) 64 64

VAN DER MEET, Angelique (NED) d. 5-SKAMLOVA, Chantal (SVK) 63 46 64
14-TREVISAN, Martina (ITA) d. WC-SARRAZIN, Laetitia (FRA) 62 75
6-JUHASZOVA, Vivien (SVK) d. WC-GAUVAIN, Sybille (FRA) 62 60
10-MARENKO, Anna Arina (RUS) d. SHROFF, Kyra (IND) 63 61

KUMKHUM, Luksika (THA) d. 7-MIKO, Zsofia (HUN) 4-0 Ret. (ankle)
WC-GARCIA, Caroline (FRA) d. 12-CERCONE, Alexandra (USA) 46 64 75
BOTTO, Bianca (PER) d. 8-MUTAGUCHI, Emi (JPN) 62 63
13-NIKITINA, Ekaterina (RUS) d. EJDESGAARD, Malou (DEN) 64 67(3) 14-12

Q2 or Final Qualifying
1-STEPHENS, Sloane (USA) d. 16-VINOGRADOVA, Polina (RUS) 63 75
11-HAAS, Sina (GER) d. 2-LINETTE, Magda (POL) 62 67(3) 64
3-ORLIK, Anna (BLR) d. 15-GUSKOVA, Nadejda (RUS) 75 62
4-BURDETTE, Mallory (USA) d. 9-AL NABHANI, Fatma (OMA) 62 64
14-TREVISAN, Martina (ITA) d. VAN DER MEET, Angelique (NED) 64 36 64
6-JUHASZOVA, Vivien (SVK) d. 10-MARENKO, Anna Arina (RUS) 64 16 62
WC-GARCIA, Caroline (FRA) d. KUMKHUM, Luksika (THA) 76(5) 64
BOTTO, Bianca (PER) d. 13-NIKITINA, Ekaterina (RUS) 76(0) 62

Singles Main Draw - 1st round

1-Laura Robson GBR vs Karina Pimkina RUS
Leolia Jeanjean FRA vs Sandra Zaniewska POL
Katarena Paliivets CAN vs Chanel Simmonds RSA
16-Veronica Cepede Royg PAR vs Maryna Zanevska UKR
9-Kristina Mladenovic FRA vs Q-Sina Haas GER
Jana Cepelova SVK d. Tamara Curovic SRB 57 62 61
Yana Buchina RUS d. Isabella Holland AUS 64 62
Nastja Kolar SLO d. 7-Lauren Embree USA 63 76(5)

4-Timea Babos HUN d. Hannah James GBR 75 63
Ksenia Kirillova RUS d. Cindy Chala FRA 63 75
An-Sophie Mestach BEL d. Irina Khromacheva RUS 60 62
15-Q-Sloane Stephens USA d. Quirine Lemoine NED 61 61
11-Silvia Njiric CRO d. Q-Caroline Garcia FRA 61 63
Daria Salnikova RUS d. Alejandra Granillo MEX 64 36 86
Q-Anna Orlik BLR d. Polina Leykina RUS 63 62
8-Elena Bogdan ROU d. Grace Sari Ysidora INA 61 61

5-Noppawan Lertcheewakarn THA vs Richel Hogenkamp NED
Beatrice Capra USA d. Charlotte Rodier FRA 76(2) 63
Nathalie Mohn FRA d. Linda Berlinecke GER 26 61 61
Valeria Solovieva RUS d. 10-Camila Silva CHI 60 62
14-Christina McHale USA d. Q-Martina Trevisan ITA 76(4) 62
Solene Ficheux FRA d. Stephanie Cornish GBR 46 60 63
LL-Fatma Al-Nabhani OMA d. Elora Dabija ROU 62 64 (Nabhani replaced Nataliya Pintusova BLR)
3-Ksenia Pervak RUS d. Q-Vivien Juhaszova SVK 62 60

6-Ajla Tomljanovic CRO d. Clothilde De Bernardi FRA 64 62
Alexandra Krunic SRB d. Valeria Savinykh RUS 61 63
Q-Bianca Botto PER d. Paula Ormaechea ARG 63 61
12-Olivia Rogowska AUS d. Zsofia Susanyi HUN 64 62
13-Heather Watson GBR vs Gracia Radovanovic FRA
Daria Gavrilova RUS d. Q-Mallory Burdette USA 63 64
Zarina Diyas KAZ d. Ulrikke Eikeri NOR 62 61
2-Ana Bogdan ROU vs Lesley Kerkhove NED

Doubles Main Draw
(1) Ana Bogdan/Ajla Tomjlanovic (ROU/CRO) vs Ksenia Kirillova/Martina Trevisan (RUS/ITA)
Hannah James/Maryna Zanevska (GBR/UKR) vs Nathalie Mohn/Gracia Radovanovic (FRA)
Isabella Holland/Olivia Rogowska (AUS) vs Nadejda Guskova/Karina Pimkina (RUS)
(5) Veronica Cepede Royg/Camila Silva (PAR/CHI) vs Linda Berlinecke/Nastja Kolar (GER/SLO)
(3) Timea Babos/Heather Watson (HUN/GBR) vs Mallory Burdette/Quirine Lemoine (USA/NED)
Polina Leykina/Ekaterina Nikitina (RUS) vs Leolia Jeanjean/Daria Salnikova (FRA/RUS)
Katerina Paliivets/Chanel Simmonds (CAN/RSA) vs Tamara Curovic/Nataliya Pintusova (SRB/BLR)
(8) Christina Mc Hale/Sloane Stephens (USA) vs Zarina Diyas/Valeria Savinykh (KAZ/RUS)
(6) Yana Buchina/Ksenia Pervak (RUS) vs Fatma Al-Nabhani/Grace Sari Ysidora (OMA/INA)
Malou Ejdesgaard/Alejandra Granillo (DEN/MEX) vs Ulrikke Eikeri/Zsofia Susanyi (NOR/HUN)
Jana Cepelova/Vivien Juhaszova (SVK) vs Stephanie Cornish/Paula Ormaechea (GBR/ARG)
(4) Kristina Mladenovic/Silvia Njiric (FRA/CRO) vs Emi Mutaguchi/Akiko Omae (JPN)
(7) Beatrice Capra/Lauren Embree (USA) vs Chlothilde De Bernardi/Solene Ficheux (FRA)
Alexandra Krunic/Sandra Zaniewska (SRB/POL) vs Anna Orlik/Laura Robson (BLR/GBR)
Richel Hogenkamp/Lesley Kerkhove (NED) vs Irina Khromacheva/An-Sophie Mestach (RUS/BEL)
(2) Elena Bogdan/Noppawan Lertcheewakarn (ROU/THA) vs Sina Haas/Magda Linette (GER/POL)

Photos of Grace Sari Ysidora Tobing is courtesy of Erwin Kusnandar & Elena Bogdan is by daylife.com

Basuki/Tedjakusuma grab doubles title, Lee denies back to back all Chinese finals

Indonesian duo Yayuk Basuki/Romana Tedjakusuma claimed their second doubles' title in 25K within a month period after Balikpapan 25K. This time Basuki/Tedjakusuma earned their revenge over top seed Chinese pair Lu Jing-Jing/Sun Sheng-Nan at "ITF Nong Hyup International Women's Circuit" in Goyang, South Korea on Saturday (May 30, 2009). As unseeded pair the veterans duo barely lost the opening set to the Chinese duet 6-7(5), then Basuki/Tedjakusuma took every chance with their solid game to claim the two remaining sets, 6-3 and 10-8.

In singles semi-finals, top seed Lu Jing-Jing from China was shocked by fifth seed and local number one Lee Jin-A 2-6, 3-6. China's Lu did not seem to recover physically from a grueling match with local Lee Ye-Ra in quarterfinals, as she was pushed all the way into three sets.

In the other last four round, seventh seed Han Xinyun of China had similar way to seal her victory as in quarterfinals. 18 years old Han came back after a set deficit and then she defeated third seed Russian Elena Chalova 3-6, 7-6(4), 6-0.

Second seed Fuda crashes out in quarterfinals at Goyang

It was really a bad luck for local player, Lee "bouncy" Ye-Ra as she showed her determination throughout the match but she eventually just lost by heartbreaking tie-break in quarterfinals at "ITF Nong Hyup International Women's Circuit" in Goyang, South Korea on Friday (May 29, 2009). On the other hand, top seed Lu Jing-Jing from China looked so hungry to come out as winner and she was indeed tougher mentally in critical moments in defeating Lee in such grueling battle which she prevailed 6-3, 4-6 7-6(3). Lu will be challenged by local "ichiban" and fifth seed Lee Jin-A after she disposed the only qualifier left, Shannon Golds from the land of Crocodile Dundee with comfortable 6-1, 6-2 victory.

In the meantime, third seed Russian Elena Chalova continued her good form as she simply outclassed seventh seed Hwang I-Hsuan of Chinese Taipei 6-1, 6-1. The biggest upset was posted by up and coming sixth seed Han Xinyun of China when she fought back strongly after a set deficit to beat more experienced second seed Ryoko Fuda from the playground of Akira Kurosawa. Indeed, Han was triumphant with 4-6, 6-2, 6-0.

Photo of Elena Chalova is courtesy of itftennis.com

Current WTA Ranking for Indonesian players - as of May 25, 2009

Singles
1. 342(342) Sandy Gumulya - 126 points, 10 tourneys
2. 382(376) Ayu Fani Damayanti - 106 points - 10 tourneys
3. 506(505) Romana Tedjakusuma - 62 points - 15 tourneys
4. 569(762) Jessy Rompies - 50 points - 8 tourneys
5. 639(597) Lavinia Tananta - 37 points - 8 tourneys
6. 883(864) Beatrice Gumulya - 16 points - 4 tourneys
7. 916(910) Grace Sari Ysidora - 14 points - 3 tourneys

Doubles
1. 203(212) Romana Tedjakusuma - 358 points, 17 tourneys
2. 257(268) Yayuk Basuki - 264 points, 12 tourneys
3. 418(493) Jessy Rompies - 114 points - 8 tourneys
4. 427(521) Lavinia Tananta - 110 points - 10 tourneys
5. 455(605) Ayu Fani Damayanti - 95 points - 6 tourneys
6. 505(569) Beatrice Gumulya - 76 points - 4 tourneys
7. 684(676) Sandy Gumulya - 34 points, 6 tourneys
8. 943(942) Grace Sari Ysidora - 9 points - 3 tourneys

Eighth seed Zhou upsets by local player Lee, while Tedjakusuma ends her journey

South Korea's number two Lee Ye-Ra fought till the end to oust sixth seed Zhou Yi-Miao from China in the second round of "ITF Nong Hyup International Women's Circuit" in Goyang, South Korea on Thursday (May 28, 2009). Starting to play tennis at 11 years old, Lee, is currently at WTA 321 but her best was at WTA 178 in September 2008. I vividly remember her agile movement when Lee played at Jakarta 10K in her early year of pro career and indeed she was so bouncy in my opinion. So, it was the only shock of the day as 21 years old Lee barely won over persistent Zhou 6-4, 7-6(2).

Top seed Lu Jing-Jing from China had relatively easy second round match after she cruised past Brazilian Vivian Segnini 6-3, 6-3. Meanwhile second seed Ryoko Fuda of Japan came back from a set down to beat Pemra Ozgen from Turkey 2-6, 6-3, 6-3. Also advancing into the last eight round was third seed Russian Elena Chalova as she edged past China's Xie Yan-Ze 6-2, 7-5. Xie is now ranked at WTA 513 but actually she was once reached her highest rank at WTA 184 in June 2004. Fifth seed and South Korea's number one Lee Jin-A posted a nice win over her compatriot, wild card Kim Kun-Hee 6-1, 6-4. Followed by sixth seed Han Xinyun of China who cruised past Indonesia's Romana Tedjakusuma 6-1, 6-3. Then another seeded player through into quarterfinals was seventh seed Hwang "sleepy eye" I-Hsuan who eased past local wild card Kim Hae-Sung 6-2, 6-2. Last but not least, the only qualifier into the last eight round was Aussie Shannon Golds as she booted out local player, Chang Kyung-Mi with 6-1, 6-1 victory.

In doubles' semi-finals, unseeded duo of Indonesia, Yayuk Basuki/Romana Tedjakusuma demonstrated their good tactics as they breezed past third seed pair, Hwang I-Hsuan/Zhang Ling (Chinese Taipei/Hong Kong) 6-2, 6-2. In the final, Basuki/Tedjakusuma will face top seed duet Lu Jing-Jing/Sun Shengnan from China. Duo Lu/Sun sealed a nice win over Thai duet Sophia Mulsap/Nungnadda Wannasuk 6-2, 6-3.

Photo of Lee Ye-Ra is courtesy of tennis.com.au

Ysidora fell in round 16, Hogenkamp was triumphant

The only Indonesian in the draw Grace Sari Ysidora Tobing had to end her journey at "45th Astrid Bowl Charleroi - Belgian International Junior Champinoships 2009" in Charleroi, Belgium. In third round or round 16 on Wednesday (May 27, 2009), playing in sprinkle condition and cool temperature, tenth seed Ysidora Tobing tried everyhting she had to do but she bowed out fifth seed Zsofia Susanyi from Hungary 1-6, 2-6.

In doubles, Ysidora Tobing partnered with Thai Luksika Khumkhum of Thailand and placed as fifth seed. Eventually duo Indonesia and Thailand ended their outing in quarterfinals as they lost to second seed pair Silvija Njiric/Sandra Zaniewska (Croatia/Poland) 2-6, 2-6.

Sixth seed Richel Hogenkamp from the Netherlands claimed singles title here after she cruised past fourth seed Chanel Simmonds of South Africa 6-4, 6-2 in the final on Saturday (May 30, 2009). While in doubles final, seventh seed pair Quirine Lemoine/Bernice Van De Velde of the Netherlands completed such clean sweep as they eased past unseeded pair, Irina Khromacheva/Julia Wachaczyk (Russia/Germany) 6-2, 6-2.

Singles - third round or round 16 results:
(15)Irina Khromacheva RUS def. (1)Silvia Njiric CRO 63 75
(8)Maryna Zanevska UKR def. Cristina Dinu ROU 75 64
(4)Chanel Simmonds RSA def. (13)Emi Mutaguchi JPN 76(8) 60
(5)Zsofia Susanyi HUN def. (10)Grace Sari Ysidora INA 61 62

(6)Richel Hogenkamp NED def. (12)Alejandra Granillo MEX 62 62
(14)An-Sophie Mestach BEL def. Annika Beck GER 63 63
(7)Sandra Zaniewska POL def. Daria Salnikova RUS 67(4) 60 61
(2)Veronica Cepede Royg PAR def. (16)Kyra Shroff IND 26 75 64

Singles - QF results:
(8)Maryna Zanevska UKR def. (15)Irina Khromacheva RUS 76(7) 64
(4)Chanel Simmonds RSA def. (5)Zsofia Susanyi HUN 63 61
(6)Richel Hogenkamp NED def. (14)An-Sophie Mestach BEL 63 46 60
(7)Sandra Zaniewska POL def. (2)Veronica Cepede Royg PAR 26 64 64

Singles - SF results:
(4) Chanel Simmonds RSA def. (8) Maryna Zanevska UKR 63 36 64
(6) Richel Hogenkamp NED d. (7) Sandra Zaniewska POL 76(6) 57 61

Doubles Main Draw

1st round results

(1) CEPEDE ROYG (PAR) / SIMMONDS (RSA) - Bye
BOEV (BEL) / VAN UYTVANCK (BEL) d. DE BERNARDI (FRA) / FICHEUX (FRA) 6-2 2-6 [10-1)
ALLGURIN (SWE) / BAMBURAC (GBR) - Bye
(6) EJDESGAARD (DEN) / GRANILLO (MEX) - Bye

(3) EIKERI (NOR) / SUSANYI (HUN) - Bye
BONAVENTURE (BEL) / VICKERY (USA) d. LEMMENS (BEL) / LIEBENS (BEL) 6-3, 6-4
BROWN (GBR) / DRAEGER (GER) d. PAQUAY (BEL) / REMY (BEL) 6-0, 6-3
(7) LEMOINE (NED) / VAN DE VELDE (NED) - Bye

(8) BECK (GER) / HAAS (GER) - Bye
KHROMACHEVA (RUS) / WACHACZYK (GER) d. PUIJKER (NED) / RENARD (BEL) 6-0, 6-2
DINU (ROU) / LIU (CHN) d. BALAN (BEL) / BERNARD (BEL) 4-6 6-4 [10-5]
(WC/4) PEKHOVA (BLR) / PINTUSOVA (BLR) - Bye

(5) KUMKHUM (THA) / YSIDORA (INA) - Bye
BIERLAIRE (BEL) / BIERLAIRE (BEL) - Bye
REN (GBR) / SALNIKOVA (RUS) d. BENOIT (BEL) / KERFS (BEL) 6-1, 6-1
(2) NJIRIC (CRO) / ZANIEWSKA (POL) - Bye

2nd round or round 16 results

(1) CEPEDE ROYG (PAR) / SIMMONDS (RSA) d. BOEV (BEL) / VAN UYTVANCK (BEL) 6-4, 6-4
ALLGURIN (SWE) / BAMBURAC (GBR) d. (6) EJDESGAARD (DEN) / GRANILLO (MEX) 6-3, 6-3

(3) EIKERI (NOR) / SUSANYI (HUN) d. BONAVENTURE (BEL) / VICKERY (USA) 6-2, 6-0
(7) LEMOINE (NED) / VAN DE VELDE (NED) d. BROWN (GBR) / DRAEGER (GER) 6-1, 6-1

KHROMACHEVA (RUS) / WACHACZYK (GER) d. (8) BECK (GER) / HAAS (GER) 6-3 4-6 [10-5]
DINU (ROU) / LIU (CHN) d. (WC/4) PEKHOVA (BLR) / PINTUSOVA (BLR) 6-4, 6-3

(5) KUMKHUM (THA) / YSIDORA (INA) d. BIERLAIRE (BEL) / BIERLAIRE (BEL) 6-0, 6-0
(2) NJIRIC (CRO) / ZANIEWSKA (POL) d. REN (GBR) / SALNIKOVA (RUS) 6-4, 6-4

Quarterfinals' results

(1) CEPEDE ROYG (PAR) / SIMMONDS (RSA) d. ALLGURIN (SWE) / BAMBURAC (GBR) 6-3, 6-1
(7) LEMOINE (NED) / VAN DE VELDE (NED) d. (3) EIKERI (NOR) / SUSANYI (HUN) 7-5, 6-2
KHROMACHEVA (RUS) / WACHACZYK (GER) d. DINU (ROU) / LIU (CHN) 5-7 7-6(7) [10-6]
(2) NJIRIC (CRO) / ZANIEWSKA (POL) d. (5) KUMKHUM (THA) / YSIDORA (INA) 6-2, 6-2

SF results

(7) LEMOINE (NED) / VAN DE VELDE (NED) d. (1) CEPEDE ROYG (PAR) / SIMMONDS (RSA) 62 75
KHROMACHEVA (RUS) /WACHACZYK (GER) d. (2) NJIRIC (CRO) / ZANIEWSKA (POL) 46 64 10-8

Tedjakusuma wins opener in Goyang

32 years old Romana Tedjakusuma claimed a good start in her opening round at "ITF Nong Hyup International Women's Circuit" in Goyang, South Korea on Wednesday (May 27, 2009). Veteran Tedjakusuma played with her vast experience and sound strategy in downing Russian qualifier Eugeniya Pashkova 6-0, 6-3. In the second round Surabaya born Tedjakusuma will challenge 14 years younger and recent winner of Incheon 25K, Han Xinyun from the land of Yao Ming. Sixth seed Han sealed comfortable triumph over American Lena Litvak 6-2, 6-3 and continued her winning streak.

Third seed Elena Chalova of Russia faced stiff opposition from local player Chae Kyung-Yee but she managed to barely clinched her close battle with 7-5 7-6(4). Also through into round 16 was seventh seed Hwang I-Hsuan of Chinese Taipei who fought off resurgent local qualifier, Kim So-Jung in grueling match but Hwang walked away with 6-2, 1-6, 6-4 victory. Meanwhile eighth seed talented Chinese Zhou Yi-Miao battled past Thai qualifier Nungnadda "Jib" Wannasuk 6-3, 6-4.

Two local players were winners in the first round today such as Lee Ye-Ra who edged past Chinese qualifier Ji Chun-Mei 6-1, 6-3, followed by wild card Kim Kun-Hee cruised past younger sister of Chen Ti, qualifier Chen Yi from Chinese Taipei 6-4, 6-1. So these two added up to total five local hopes into the next round.

In doubles, almost hundred percent of quarterfinals' matches were so tight. The Indonesian veterans of Yayuk Basuki/Romana Tedjakusuma bounced back and regrouped to beat second seed pair Chen Yi/Ayaka Maekawa (Chinese Taipei/Japan) 3-6, 7-6(6), 10-6.

Singles – 1st round complete results
1-Lu Jing-Jing (CHN) d. Zhang Ling (HKG) 63 64
Vivian Segnini (BRA) d. Q-Saori Karikomi (JPN)64 67(4) 63
Lee Ye-Ra (KOR) d. Q-Ji Chun-Mei (CHN)61 63
8-Zhou Yi-Miao (CHN) vs Q-Nungnadda Wannasuk (THA)63 64

Chang Kyung-Mi (KOR) d. 4-Chiaki Okadaue (JPN) 64 46 64
Q-Shannon Golds (AUS)d. Q-Anna Livadaru (GER) 63 63
WC-Kim Kun-Hee (KOR)d. Q-Chen Yi (TPE) 64 61
5-Lee Jin-A (KOR) d. WC-Yu Min-Hwa (KOR) 64 60

7-Hwang I-Hsuan (TPE) d. Q-Kim So-Jung (KOR)62 16 64
WC-Kim Hae-Sung d. Tadeja Majeric (SLO) 64 ret
Xie Yan-Ze (CHN)d. WC-Kim Ji-Ae (KOR) 64 61
3-Elena Chalova (RUS) d. Chae Kyung-Yee (KOR) 75 76(4)

6-Han Xinyun (CHN) d. Lena Litvak (USA) 62 63
Romana Tedjakusuma (INA) d. Q-Eugeniya Pashkova (RUS) 60 63
Pemra Ozgen (TUR) d. Liang Chen (CHN) 26 75 60
2-Ryoko Fuda (JPN) d. Ayaka Maekawa (JPN) 75 64

Doubles – QF results
1-Lu Jing-Jing (CHN) / Sun Sheng-Nan (CHN) d. Kao Shao-Yuan/Xie Yan-Ze (TPE/CHN) 76(4) 63

Sophia Mulsap (THA) / Nungnadda Wannasuk (THA) d. WC-Cho Eun-Hye (KOR) / Kim So-Jung (KOR) 46 63 10-2

3-Hwang I-Hsuan (TPE) / Zhang Ling (HKG) d. Chang Kyung-Mi (KOR) / Lee Jin-A (KOR) 36 63 11-9

Yayuk Basuki (INA) / Romana Tedjakusuma (INA) d. 2-Chen Yi (TPE) / Ayaka Maekawa (JPN) 36 76(6) 10-6

Photo of Zhou Yi-Miao is courtesy of Xinhua

Ysidora Tobing advances, while three seeds fall

The only Indonesian in the draw and tenth seed Grace Sari Ysidora Tobing dismissed Jennifer Ren of Great Britain on Tuesday (May 26, 2009) to reach third round or round 16 of “45th Astrid Bowl Charleroi - Belgian International Junior Championships 2009” in Charleroi, Belgium. Playing in her first ever Grade 1 tourney on clay and in the continent of Europe, Ysidora Tobing posted comfortable 6-1, 6-2 victory over Briton Ren. It was indeed a slight improvement after Ysidora Tobing first round exit at “50th Trofeo Bonfiglio” in Milan, Italy last week.

As tenth seed Ysidora Tobing received a bye in the first round (draw 48) and now she leads 2-0 in her head to head with Ren as Ysidora Tobing edged past her opponent in the first meeting 5-7, 6-4, 6-1 at “China Open Grade 3” in Xiamen, China last October. In round 16, Ysidora Tobing will challenge her team mate of ITF A team, fifth seed Zsofia Susanyi from Hungary. Also getting first round bye, Susanyi overcame a scare from Polina Pekhova of Belarus and she won 6-2, 1-6, 6-4.

On such a wet day, German Annika Beck produced shock of the day as she defeated third seed Norwegian Ulrikke Eikeri. Eikeri went down in straight sets, 5-7, 0-6, to the German. The second upset of day two was the loss of ninth seed Nataliya Pintusova from Belarus. Pintusova was beaten in a second set tie-break by Russian Daria Salnikova 1-6, 6-7(3). Cristina Dinu from Romania did not allow her opponent eleventh seed Quirine Lemoine of the Netherlands to settle her game and Dinu won quite easily 6-1, 6-2 over Lemoine who became the third seeded player to depart on day two.

Another member of ITF A team and second seed Veronica Cepede Royg of Paraguay also advanced into round 16 after she cruised past local wild card Elke Lemmens 6-0, 6-4. Meanwhile five other Asians in the draw had mixed results. Thirteenth seed Emi Mutaguchi of Japan eased past German Julia Wachaczyk 6-3, 6-1, while sixteenth seed Indian Kyra Shroff claimed a victory over Briton qualifier Sabrina Bamburac 6-1, 6-3. On the other hand, Thai prodigy Luksika Kumkhum bowed out to wild card and eighth seed Maryna Zanevska of Ukraine 3-6, 3-6. Then China’s Liu Min was easily defeated by an ITF A team member and fourth seed Channel Simmonds from South Africa 0-6, 2-6. As for Japanese Akiko Omae, her match against sixth seed Richel Hogenkamp of the Netherlands was postponed due to rain along with three other matches.

Singles – 1st round – complete results
(1) Silvia Njiric (CRO) – Bye
Sina Haas (GER) d. Sachia Vickery (USA) 26 64 61
Clothilde De Bernardi (FRA) d. Michaela Boev (BEL) 62 62
(15) Irina Khromacheva (RUS) – Bye
(11) Quirine Lemoine (NED) – Bye
Cristina Dinu (ROU) d. (Q) Lana Groenvynck (BEL) 62 61
Luksika Kumkhum (THA) d. (Q) Klaartje Liebens (BEL) 62 62
(WC/8) Maryna Zanevska (UKR) – Bye
(4) Channel Simmonds (RSA) – Bye
Liu Min (CHN) d. Bernice Van De Velde (NED) 62 61
Julia Wachaczyk (GER) d. Laura Bernard (BEL) 62 62
(13) Emi Mutaguchi (JPN) – Bye

(10) Grace Sari Ysidora (INA) – Bye
Jennifer Ren (GBR) d. (Q) Eugenie Chapelle (BEL) 62 63
Polina Pekhova (BLR) d. (Q) Marie Benoit (BEL) 63 76(5)
(5) Zsofia Susanyi (HUN) – Bye
(6) Richel Hogenkamp (NED) – Bye
Akiko Omae (JPN) d. (WC) Alison Van Uytvanck (BEL) 4-6, 6-4, 6-1
Harriet Sheahan (AUS) d. (Q) Astrid Leclere (BEL) 62 62
(12) Alejandra Granillo (MEX) – Bye
(14) An-Sophie Mestach (BEL) – Bye
Solene Ficheux (FRA) d. Malou Ejdesgaard (DEN) 75 62
Annika Beck (GER) d. (Q) Florie Paquay (BEL) 62 60
(3) Ulrikke Eikeri (NOR) – Bye
(7) Sandra Zaniewska (POL) – Bye
Ellen Allgurin (SWE) d. (WC) Estelle Balan (BEL) 63 63
Daria Salnikova (RUS) d. (WC) Ysaline Bonaventure (BEL) score not known
(9) Nataliya Pintusova (BLR) – Bye
(16) Kyra Shroff (IND) – Bye
(Q) Sabrina Bamburac (GBR) d. Jeanette Draeger (GER) 63 57 61
(WC) Elke Lemmens (BEL) d. Lucy Brown (GBR) 26 63 62
(2) Veronica Cepede Royg (PAR) - Bye

Singles – 2nd round results (four matches postponed due to rain)
(1) Silvia Njiric CRO vs. Sina Haas GER
(15) Irina Khromacheva RUS def. Clothilde de Bernardi FRA 36 61 62
Cristina Dinu ROU def. (11) Quirine Lemoine NED 61 62
(8) Maryna Zanevska UKR def. Luksika Kumkhum THA 63 63
(4) Chanel Simmonds RSA def. Liu Min CHN 60 62
(13) Emi Mutaguchi JPN def. Julia Wachaczyk GER 63 61
(10) Grace Sari Ysidora INA def. Jennifer Ren GBR 61 62
(5) Zsofia Susanyi HUN def. Polina Pekhova BLR 62 16 64

(6) Richel Hogenkamp NED vs. Akiko Omae JPN
(12) Alejandra Granillo MEX vs. Harriet Sheahan AUS
(14) An-Sophie Mestach BEL vs. Solène Ficheux FRA
Annika Beck GER def. (3) Ulrikke Eikeri NOR 75 60
(7) Sandra Zaniewska POL def. Ellen Allgurin SWE 60 61
Daria Salnikova RUS def. (9)Natalya Pintusova BLR 61 76(3)
(16) Kyra Shroff IND def. (Q)Sabrina Bamburac GBR 61 63
(2) Veronica Cepede Royg PAR def. (WC)Elke Lemmens BEL 60 64

Photo of Grace Sari Ysidora Tobing is private collection

Fourth seed Okadaue exits immediately

“ITF Nong Hyup International Women’s Circuit 2009” with total prize money of US $ 25,000 just started in Goyang, South Korea on Tuesday (May 26, 2009). In its opening day, only five singles’ matches were held and fourth seed Chiaki Okadaue of Japan crashed out immediately in the first round. Japanese Okadaue gave everything to fight against local player, Chang Kyung-Mi, but in the end 27 years old Chang prevailed as the winner with interesting score line, 6-4, 4-6, 6-4.

Meanwhile top seed Lu Jing-Jing from China began her campaign with 6-3, 6-4 victory over Zhang Ling of Hong Kong. Followed by second seed Ryoko Fuda of Japan who battled past her compatriot Ayaka Maekawa 7-5, 6-4. Then fifth seed and South Korea’s number one Lee Jin-A cruised past her compatriot, wild card Yu Min-Hwa 6-4, 6-0 and secured her ticket to round 16. Also cruising into the next round, local wild card Kim Hae-Sung who disposed Slovenian Tadeja Majeric 6-4 retired.

In doubles’ first round matches, local wild card pair Cho Eun-Hye/Kim So-Jung surprised fourth seed duo Han Xinyun/Ji Chunmei from China and came back from behind with 4-6, 6-2, 11-9 victory. Top seed pair Lu Jing-Jing/Sun Shengnan of China capitalized their opening win over duo Lena Litvak/Pemra Ozgen (USA/Turkey) 6-1, 6-4. This time unseeded, duo Indonesian veterans Yayuk Basuki/Romana Tedjakusuma eased past duet of Lizaan Du Plessis/Shannon Golds (South Africa/Australia) 6-2, 6-2.

Q1 - results
1-Shannon Golds (AUS) d. Lee Bit-Na (KOR) 61 62
You Ju-Hee (KOR) d. Sophia Mulsap (THA) 62 67(5) 61
Sun Sheng-Nan (CHN) d. Yoo Mi (KOR) 75 63
13-Han Sung-Hee (KOR) d. Kim Na-Ri (KOR) 61 64
2-Monika Wejnert (AUS) d. Lucia Gonzalez (AUS) 63 61
Yuka Higashi (JPN) d. Han Ah-Ren (KOR) 62 62
Yoo Soo-Mi (KOR) d. Lyoo-Suh Hee-Sun (KOR) 63 63
11-Nungnadda Wannasuk (THA) d. WC-Zhou Ya (CHN) 62 62

3-Maya Gaverova (RUS) d. WC-Ji Ha-Young (KOR) 63 64
Hwang In-Young (KOR) d. WC-Byun Hye-Jin (KOR) 61 62
Huang Lei (CHN) d. WC-Kang You-Jin (KOR) 61 61
Ji Chun-Mei (CHN) d. 12-Lizaan Du Plessis (RSA) 62 60
4-Kim So-Jung (KOR) d. Brittany Teei (NZL) 60 62
Hong Seung-Yeon (KOR) d. WC-Han Na-Lae (KOR) 75 60
Ham Mi-Rae (KOR) d. Renee Lampret (AUS) 62 64
9-Aleksandra Filipovski (HUN) d. Lee Hye-Min (KOR) 46 64 75

5-Liu Shaozhuo (CHN) d. Ham, Soo-Gee (KOR) 61 36 62
Kim Ji-Young (KOR) d. Kim Ji-Sun (KOR) 61 60
Anna Livadaru (GER) d. Daria Maslennikova (RUS) 61 62
15-Sakiko Shimizu (JPN) d. Maxine Thomas (USA) 64 64
MunYe-Ji (KOR) d. 6-Surina De Beer (RSA) 5-3 Retired
Saori Karikomi (JPN) d. Park Ji Yun (KOR) 60 64
Bae Yoon-young (KOR) d. Phoebe Di Leo (USA) 62 62
Bae Yoo-Ri (KOR) d. 14-Maki Arai (JPN) 61 26 63

7-Nudnida Luangnam (THA) d. WC-Byun Hye-Mi (KOR) 62 61
WC-Hong Hyun-Hui (KOR) d. Yoo Jin (KOR) 64 76(6)
Kim Ji-Hye (KOR) d. Aki Yamasoto (JPN) 75 62
10-Chen Yi (TPE) d. Lee Ji-Hyun (KOR) 62 62
8-Eugeniya Pashkova (RUS) d. Kwak Bo-Ra (KOR) 64 61
Sim, A-ram (KOR) d. Choi Ji-Hee (KOR) 62 64
Cho Eun-Hye (KOR) d. Kao Shao-Yuan (TPE) 63 61
16-Etsuko Kitazaki (JPN) d. WC-Yea Hyojung (KOR) 62 62

Q2 - results
1-Shannon Golds (AUS) d. You Ju-Hee (KOR) 75 64
13-Han Sung-Hee (KOR) d. Sun Sheng-Nan (CHN) 26 64 64
2-Monika Wejnert (AUS) d. Yuka Higashi (JPN) 63 64
11-Nungnadda Wannasuk (THA) d. Yoo Soo-Mi (KOR) 63 46 64

Hwang In-Young (KOR) d. 3-Maya Gaverova (RUS) 64 64
Ji Chun-Mei (CHN) d. Huang Lei (CHN) 61 64
4-Kim So-Jung (KOR) d. Hong Seung-Yeon (KOR) 63 60
Ham Mi-Rae (KOR) d. 9-Aleksandra Filipovski (HUN) 63 76(4)

Kim Ji-Young (KOR) d. 5-Liu Shaozhuo (CHN) 63 60
Anna Livadaru (GER) d. 15-Sakiko Shimizu (JPN) 36 62 64
Saori Karikomi (JPN) d. Mun Ye-Ji (KOR) 46 64 75
Bae Yoo-Ri (KOR) d. Bae Yoon-young (KOR) 60 62

7-Nudnida Luangnam (THA) d. WC-Hong Hyun-Hui (KOR) 16 61 75
10-Chen Yi (TPE) d. Kim Ji-Hye (KOR) 61 61
8-Eugeniya Pashkova (RUS) d. Sim A-ram (KOR) 64 63
Cho Eun-Hye (KOR) d. 16-Etsuko Kitazaki (JPN) 63 63

Q3 or Final Qualifying Results
1-Shannon Golds (AUS) d. 13-Han Sung-Hee (KOR) 16 76(4) 63
11-Nungnadda Wannasuk (THA) d. 2-Monika Wejnert (AUS) 64 67(2) 64
Ji Chun-Mei (CHN) d. Hwang In-Young (KOR) 62 61
4-Kim So-Jung (KOR) d. Ham Mi-Rae (KOR) 61 63
Anna Livadaru (GER) d. Kim Ji-Young (KOR) 60 62
Saori Karikomi (JPN) d. Bae Yoo-Ri (KOR) 63 62
10-Chen Yi (TPE) d. 7-Nudnida Luangnam (THA) 76(7) 75
8-Eugeniya Pashkova (RUS) d. Cho Eun-Hye (KOR) 76(1) 46 63

Singles – 1st round results (only 5 matches)
1-Lu Jing-Jing (CHN) d. Zhang Ling (HKG) 63 64
Vivian Segnini (BRA) vs Q-Saori Karikomi (JPN)
Lee Ye-Ra (KOR) vs Q-Ji Chun-Mei (CHN)
8-Zhou Yi-Miao (CHN) vs Q-Nungnadda Wannasuk (THA)
Chang Kyung-Mi (KOR) d. 4-Chiaki Okadaue (JPN) 64 46 64
Q-Anna Livadaru (GER) vs Q-Shannon Golds (AUS)
Q-Chen Yi (TPE) vs WC-Kim Kun-Hee (KOR)
5-Lee Jin-A (KOR) d. WC-Yu Min-Hwa (KOR) 64 60

7-Hwang I-Hsuan (TPE) vs Q-Kim So-Jung (KOR)
WC-Kim Hae-Sung d. Tadeja Majeric (SLO) 64 ret
WC-Kim Ji-Ae (KOR) vs Xie Yan-Ze (CHN)
3-Elena Chalova (RUS) vs Chae Kyung-Yee (KOR)

6-Han Xinyun (CHN) vs Lena Litvak (USA)
Q-Eugeniya Pashkova (RUS) vs Romana Tedjakusuma (INA)
Pemra Ozgen (TUR) vs Liang Chen (CHN)
2-Ryoko Fuda (JPN) d. Ayaka Maekawa (JPN) 75 64

Doubles – 1st round results
1-Lu Jing-Jing (CHN) / Sun Sheng-Nan (CHN) d. Lena Litvak (USA) / Pemra Ozgen (TUR) 61 64
Kao Shao-Yuan/Xie Yan-Ze (TPE/CHN) d. Ryoko Fuda (JPN) / Zhou Yi-Miao (CHN) 63 64 - Kao/Xie replaced Tadeja Majeric (SLO) / Vivian Segnini (BRA)

WC-Cho Eun-Hye (KOR) / Kim So-Jung (KOR) d. 4-Han Xinyun (CHN) / Ji Chun-Mei (CHN) 46 62 11-9
Sophia Mulsap (THA) / Nungnadda Wannasuk (THA) d. Maki Arai (JPN) / Liu Shaozhuo (CHN) 36 4-2 ret

Chang Kyung-Mi (KOR) / Lee Jin-A (KOR) d. Elena Chalova (RUS) / Eugeniya Pashkova (RUS) 60 62
3-Hwang I-Hsuan (TPE) / Zhang Ling (HKG) d. WC-Chae Kyung-Yee (KOR) / Kim Ji-Young (KOR) 63 64

Yayuk Basuki (INA) / Romana Tedjakusuma (INA) d. Lizaan Du Plessis (RSA) / Shannon Golds (AUS) 62 62
2-Chen Yi (TPE) / Ayaka Maekawa (JPN) d. WC-Lee Ye-Ra (KOR) / Yu Min-Hwa (KOR) 63 63

Lucky Lacko grabs his second title at Fergana Challenger

Reaching his highest world rank at ATP 133 in October 2007, eight seed Lukas Lacko of Slovakia (rank at ATP 269 as at May 18, 2009) extended his winning streak as he grabbed his second title in challenger in the final of “Fergana Challenger” with total prize money of US $ 35,000 in Fergana, Uzbekistan last Sunday (May 24, 2009). In such close battle, Lacko came back from a set down and barely won over fifth seed Samuel Groth of Australia 4-6, 7-5, 7-6(4). So, it was worth a trip to the land of Iroda Tulyaganova and in his fourth challenger’s final appearance Lacko made another optimum result. His first final was at Rijeka Challenger in Croatia (May 2007) when he lost to local fave Marin Cilic 5-7, 2-6. While his first title came at Kolding Challenger, Denmark in October 2007 when he edged past Gilles Muller of Luxembourg 7-6(3), 6-4 in the final.

So, by now Lacko leads 2-0 in head to head with Samuel Groth. In his first outing against Groth, Lacko also barely defeated his opponent 7-6(3), 7-6(4) in Italy Futures of 2006. Lacko started his Davis Cup debut in 2006 when Slovakia played against Chile and he won a match over Chilean Adrian Garcia. Since then he maintained his presence in his country’s Davis Cup squad also in 2006 in a tie against Belgium, then against South Korea in 2007, and finally in 2008 against Georgia and Serbia. Meanwhile in grand slam tournaments, Lacko posted his best results as qualifier at Australian Open 2007 & 2008.

Photo of Lukas Lacko is courtesy of itftennis.com

Young gun Han was triumphant

Continuous run by local qualifier Kim So-Jung ended in semi-finals as she bowed out easily to lefty eighth seed Han Xinyun from China 1-6, 2-6 at “Incheon Women’s Challenger Tennis” in Incheon, South Korea on Saturday (May 23, 2009). Nevertheless, a credit should be given to resurgent Kim for such performance in her quest to climb back to her decent world rank. Chinese players really showed their power here in this 25K tourney as Liang Chen secured all Chinese finals after she cruised past “special exempt” Elena Chalova of Russia with comfortable 6-1, 6-3 victory. In the finals, 18 years old Han (rank per May 18, 2009 at WTA 291; her best at WTA 254 in July 2008) eventually won her maiden title quite easily over Liang 6-2, 6-2 and now she leads 2-0 in her head to head with Liang. Han first meeting was at Chengdu 25K when she had to work hard to defeat Liang 3-6, 6-4, 6-4 in the second round back in May 2007. As reminder, Han had beaten Indonesia’s numero uno Sandy Gumulya 6-2, 6-3 in the first round of Toyota 75K, Japan last November.

In doubles’ final, also all Chinese battle which then completed clean sweep by the Chinese entourage, top seed pair Lu Jing-Jing/Sun Sheng-Nan edged past second seed duo Han Xinyun/Ji Chun-Mei 6-3, 6-3.

Groth and Lacko into Fergana finals

Eight seed Lukas Lacko of Slovakia will challenge fifth seed Samuel Groth from Australia in the final of “Fergana Challenger” with total prize money of US $ 35,000 in Fergana, Uzbekistan after they battled past their opponents in semi-finals on Friday (May 22, 2009). Lacko extended his good form as he surprised fourth seed Illya Marchenko of Ukraine and won 6-2, 5-7, 6-1. Meanwhile Aussie Groth had relatively easier outing after he cruised past Russian qualifier Evgeny Kirillov 6-2, 6-3.

In doubles semi-finals, fourth seed pair Pavel Chekhov/Alexey Kedryuk (Russia/Kazakhstan) edged past unseeded duo Raven Klaasen/Danai Udomchoke (South Africa/Thailand) 6-3, 6-2, while second seed duet Pierre-Ludovic Duclos/Aisam Ul-Haq Qureshi (Canada/Pakistan) defeated third seed Russian pair Evgeny Kirillov/Alexandre Kudryavtsev 6-4, 6-3. In the final, fourth seed duo Chekhov/Kedryuk came from behind to grab the title as they edged past second seed pair Duclos/Qureshi 4-6, 6-3, 10-5.

Amazing race by qualifier Kim and she stands tall into semi-finals

The only seed left in quarterfinals, eighth seed Han Xinyun of China earned her semi-final spot in a fierce fight against Naomi Cavaday from Great Britain but she bounced back to win 2-6, 7-5, 6-4 at “ITF Incheon Women’s Challenger Tennis” in Incheon, South Korea on Friday (May 22, 2009). In the last four round, Han will face challenge from resurgent local qualifier Kim So-Jung as she had to go through similar drama when she had a set down but managed to stormed back to defeat her compatriot Chae Kyung-Yee 3-6, 7-5, 6-1. Kim became the only local player through into semi-finals as the other two failed to do so. Kim’s latest fine performance was being runner-up at Gimcheon 25K in early May.

“Special exempt” Elena Chalova from Russia continued her fine form and secured her semi-final berth after she cruised past local qualifier Kim Kun-Hee 6-3, 6-2. Then another Chinese player, Liang Chen tarnished local hope, qualifier Chang Kyung-Mi in a thriller, but she regrouped herself to seal 1-6, 6-3, 6-4 victory over her opponent.

It was truly perfect doubles’ semi-finals since all top four seeded pairs filled the last four round. First and second seeded pairs eventually set-up all Chinese finals after they booted out their opponents. Top seed pair Lu Jing-Jing/Sun Sheng-Nan outclassed third seed duo of Indonesian veterans, Yayuk Basuki/Romana Tedjakusuma 6-1, 6-2. It looked like the Chinese duet had better speed and power than the Indonesians. Then second seed duet, Han Xinyun/Ji Chun-Mei eased past fourth seed pair Elena Chalova/Eugeniya Pashkova from Russia 6-3, 6-1.

Top seeds in singles and doubles stumble

Top seed Danai “Pik” Udomchoke of Thailand was denied to extend his winning streak as he bowed out easily to eighth seed Lukas Lacko of Slovakia 1-6, 1-6 in quarterfinals at “Fergana Challenger” with total prize money of US $ 35,000 in Fergana, Uzbekistan on Thursday (May 21, 2009).

Another upset was made by fifth seed Aussie Samuel Groth who came back from behind to defeat third seed Alexandre Kudryavtsev from Russia with 4-6, 7-6(1), 6-2 victory. Meanwhile fourth seed Illya Marchenko of Ukraine faced stiff challenge but he prevailed to beat Canadian Pierre-Ludovic Duclos 6-3, 3-6, 6-1. Last but not least, in the duel of Russian qualifiers, Evgeny Kirillov eased past his comrade Artem Sitak 6-1, 6-2.

In the meantime, top seed pair Sanchai Ratiwatana/Sonchat Ratiwatana from Thailand also forced to exit after they were beaten by duo Raven Klaasen/Danai Udomchoke (South Africa/Thailand) 6-7(5), 6-3, 8-10 in quarterfinals. In semi-finals, duet Klaasen/Udomchoke will face fourth seed pair Pavel Chekov/Alexey Kedryuk (Russia/Kazakhstan). In the last eight round, duo Chekov/Kedryuk overcame strong fight by Konstantin Kravchuk/Lukas Lacko (Russia/Slovakia) but they eventually won 6-7(3), 6-4, 10-5. Two more seeded pairs were advancing to the last four round as third seed Evgeny Kirillov/Alexandre Kudryavtsev from Russia edged past duo Chen Ti/Pavel Snobel (Chinese Taipei/Czech Republic) 7-5, 6-3. Then second seed pair Pierre-Ludovic Duclos/Aisam-Ul-Haq Qureshi (Canada/Pakistan) outclassed wild card duet of Rifat Biktyakov/Christopher Rungkat (Uzbekistan/Indonesia) 6-1, 6-3.

Photos of The Ratiwatanas by nationmultimedia.com

Tedjakusuma falls together with five seeded players

California resident Romana Tedjakusuma could not capitalize another victory as she bowed out to local qualifier Chang Kyung-Mi 4-6, 1-6 in the second round of “ITF Incheon Women’s Challenger Tennis” in Incheon, South Korea on Thursday (May 21, 2009). Chang, together with her three compatriots, qualifier yet resurgent Kim So-Jung, Chae Kyung-Yee and another qualifier Kim Kun-Hee, maintain local fans’ hope by reaching quarterfinals while more seeded players fell and only eight seed Han Xinyun of China left standing.

The biggest upset came when Naomi Cavaday of Great Britain ousted top seed Lu Jing-Jing from China despite an opening set deficit. Cavaday bounced back to win 2-6, 7-6(7), 6-2 over Lu. Resurgent Kim So-Jung also shocked third seed Ryoko Fuda of Japan after she edged past talented Fuda 6-4, 6-3. More surprises created by local players when qualifier Kim Kun-Hee cruised past fourth seed Japanese Chiaki Okadaue 6-3, 6-3 and eventually Chae Kyung-Yee completed “South Korean terminators” campaign as she fought hard in a tight match and edged past seventh seed Hwang I-Hsuan from Chinese Taipei with 7-5, 6-7(3), 6-2 victory.

Another surprise was made by “special exempt” Elena Chalova of Russia who battled past sixth seed Chinese fighter, Zhou Yi-Miao 6-2, 7-6(1). The only seeded player still survived, eighth seed Han Xinyun of China who had an easy “picnic” as she crushed Turkish Pemra Ozgen 6-1, 6-0. Meanwhile Han’s compatriot, Liang Chen extended her run into the last eight round after she was barely defeated Japanese Ayaka Maekawa 7-6(6), 6-4.

Singles – 2nd round – results
Naomi Cavaday (GBR) d. (1) Lu Jing-Jing (CHN) 26 76(7) 62
(8) Han Xinyun (CHN) d. Pemra Ozgen (TUR) 61 60
Q-Kim So-Jung (KOR) d. (3) Ryoko Fuda (JPN) 64 63
Chae Kyung-Yee (KOR) d. (7) Hwang I-Hsuan (TPE) 75 67(3) 62
SE-Elena Chalova (RUS) d. (6) Zhou Yi-Miao (CHN) 62 76(1)
Q-Kim Kun-Hee (KOR) d. (4) Chiaki Okadaue (JPN) 63 63
Liang Chen (CHN) d. Ayaka Maekawa (JPN) 76(6) 64
Q-Chang Kyung-Mi (KOR) d. Romana Tedjakusuma (INA) 64 61

Photos of Naomi Cavaday by independent.co.uk; Zhou Yi-Miao by xinhuanet.com

Udomchoke keeps going strong

Top seed Danai “Pik” Udomchoke of Thailand stretched his winning streak as he cruised into quarterfinals at “Fergana Challenger” with total prize money of US $ 35,000 in Fergana, Uzbekistan. In the opening round Udomchoke did not have to work hard as he won easily 6-2, 6-1 over Russian Ilya Belyaev. He continued to march into the last eight round after ousting Dusan Lojda of Czech Republic 6-4, 6-2 in the second round.

Two major upsets colored the opening day with the early exit of second seed Pavel Snobel from Czech Republic and sixth seed Konstantin Kravchuk of Russia. Snobel bowed out to Russian qualifier Evgeny Kirillov as he could not handle his momentum and eventually lost 6-1, 3-6, 5-7. Meanwhile Kravchuk was surprised by South Korean Jun Woong-Sun as he was beaten 4-6, 3-6.

So, Udomchoke is the only Asian left standing into quarterfinals as five other Asians were all defeated in the second round. These five losers were Pakistani Aisam Ul-Haq Qureshi; older brother of Chen Yi, Chen Ti from Chinese Taipei, local wild card Murad Inoyatov, South Korean Jun Woong-Sun and last but not least a qualifier and Songkhla born Kittipong Wachiramanowong of Thailand.

After his failure in singles’ qualifying, Indonesia’s numero uno Christopher Rungkat bet his action in doubles with local player Rifat Biktyakov. Wild card pair Rungkat/Biktyakov had to earn their quarterfinals’ ticket in a grueling opening round but they prevailed to beat Illya Marchenko/Ivan Sergeyev from Ukraine 6-4, 3-6, 10-8.

In the meantime, top seed pair Sanchai Ratiwatana/Sonchat Ratiwatana from Thailand faced tough labor in the opening set but then they were unstoppable to defeat Kamil Capkovic/Marek Semjan of Slovakia 7-6(5), 6-0. In quarterfinals, the Ratiwatanas will face duo Raven Klaasen/Danai Udomchoke (South Africa/Thailand). In the first round Klaasen/Udomchoke crushed local wild card duet Jakhongir Jalolov/Sergey Shipilov 6-1, 6-1.

Singles – 1st round - results
1-Danai Udomchoke THA d. Ilya Belyaev RUS 62 61
Dusan Lojda CZE d. Yuichi Sugita JPN 64 62
Raven Klaasen RSA d. WC-Vaja Uzakov UZB 62 62
8-Lukas Lacko SVK d. Marek Semjan SVK 46 61 75

4-Illya Marchenko UKR d. WC-Sergey Shipilov UZB 63 63
Aisam-Ul-Haq Qureshi PAK d. WC-Rifat Biktyakov UZB 46 63 62
Chen Ti TPE d. Q-Purav Raja IND 26 61 62
Pierre-Ludovic Duclos CAN d. 7-Kamil Capkovic SVK 76(6) 76(2)

5-Samuel Groth AUS d. Andrei Gorban MDA 76(0) 64
WC-Murad Inoyatov UZB d. Ivan Sergeyev UKR 64 16 75
Boy Westerhof NED d. Alexey Kedryuk KAZ 62 64
3-Alexandre Kudryavtsev RUS d. Pavel Chekhov RUS 64 61

Jun Woong-Sun KOR d. 6-Konstantin Kravchuk RUS 64 63
Q-Artem Sitak RUS d. Jun Mitsuhashi JPN 75 16 63
Q-Kittipong Wachiramanowong THA d. Chris Eaton GBR 63 75
Q-Evgeny Kirillov RUS d. 2-Pavel Snobel CZE 16 63 75

2nd round results
1-Danai Udomchoke THA d. Dusan Lojda CZE 64 62
8-Lukas Lacko SVK d. Raven Klaasen RSA 67(5) 62 63
4-Illya Marchenko UKR d. Aisam-Ul-Haq Qureshi PAK 57 64 62
Pierre-Ludovic Duclos CAN d. Chen Ti TPE 62 64

5-Samuel Groth AUS d. WC-Murad Inoyatov UZB 63 62
3-Alexandre Kudryavtsev RUS d. Boy Westerhof NED 63 64
Q-Artem Sitak RUS d. Jun Woong-Sun KOR 46 61 64
Q-Evgeny Kirillov RUS d. Q-Kittipong Wachiramanowong THA 36 60 63

Doubles – 1st round - results
1-Sanchai Ratiwatana/Sonchat Ratiwatana THA d. Kamil Capkovic/Marek Semjan SVK 76(5) 60
Raven Klaasen/Danai Udomchoke RSA/THA d. WC-Jakhongir Jalolov/Sergey Shipilov UZB 61 61

4-Pavel Chekov /Alexey Kedryuk RUS/KAZ d. Jun Mitsuhashi/Yuichi Sugita JPN 76(3) 46 15-13
Konstantin Kravchuk/Lukas Lacko RUS/SVK d. WC-Murad Inoyatov /Vaja Uzakov UZB 64 64

Chen Ti/Pavel Snobel TPE/CZE d. Q-Artem Sitak/Andrei Gorban MDA/RUS 62 64
3-Evgeny Kirillov/Alexandre Kudryavtsev RUS d. Samuel Groth/Purav Raja AUS/IND 46 61 11-9

WC-Rifat Biktyakov/Christopher Rungkat UZB/INA d. Illya Marchenko/Ivan Sergeyev UKR 64 36 10-8
2-Pierre-Ludovic Duclos/Aisam-Ul-Haq Qureshi CAN/PAK vs Ilya Belyaev/Boy Westerhof RUS/NED – no result yet

Photo of Danai Udomchoke by news.bbc.co.uk

Tedjakusuma upsets local numero uno Lee

Surabaya born Romana Tedjakusuma claimed her opening round victory at “ITF Incheon Women’s Challenger Tennis” in Incheon, South Korea on Wednesday (May 20, 2009) as she ousted South Korea’s numero uno and second seed Lee Jin-A 6-3, 6-2. It was indeed nice improvement for Tedjakusuma after back to back first round losses at Balikpapan and Tanjung Selor 25K. As for 24 years old Lee, it was clear that she could not maintain her form after she won the title at Gimcheon 25K in early May. Tedjakusuma was simply showing her patience and persistency in defeating her 9 years younger opponent. Another upset was the early departure of number two South Korean and fifth seed Lee Ye-Ra as she was beaten by China’s Liang Chen 3-6, 6-3, 1-6. So, these completed two shocks of the day in the main draw.

Meanwhile top seed Lu Jing-Jing of China edged past Thai Nudnida “June” Luangnam 6-2, 6-4 in the opening round. Also advancing into second round was third seed Ryoko Fuda from Japan but she had to work harder before she prevailed to win over local qualifier Kim Na-Ri 4-6, 6-0, 7-5. Fuda’s compatriot, fourth seed Chiaki Okadaue also through into the next round after she cruised past local wild card Kim Ji-Young 6-1, 6-4.

Despite such early exit by two top South Korean players, the local quartet secured their spot in the next round as they earned victories in the first round. Local qualifier, resurgent Kim So-Jung defeated recent winner of Tanjung Selor 25K, Slovenian Tadeja Majeric 6-2, 6-3, followed by Chae Kyung-Yee who sealed a win over American Lena Litvak 6-2, 6-1, also another qualifier Kim Kun-Hee was triumphant in the battle of qualifiers as she edged past Australian Monika Wejnert 6-4, 6-1. Again another local qualifier Chang Kyung-Mi (KOR) claimed victory but in a hard way in ousting Vivian Segnini of Brazil 6-3, 3-6, 6-1. In second round, 27 years old Chang will battle with Tedjakusuma.

Placed as third seed, duo Yayuk Basuki/Romana Tedjakusuma continued their saga in the backyard of so many Lees as they had slight problem in the opening set but then managed to win over local duet, Chang Kyung-Mi/Lee Jin-A 7-5, 6-1 in quarterfinals. It was Tedjakusuma's double punches indeed over Lee after her singles' win. In semi-finals the veterans’ combo Basuki/Tedjakusuma will clash with top seed pair, Lu Jing-Jing/Sun Sheng-Nan from China. In the last eight round, duo Lu/Sun cruised past Japanese duo Ryoko Fuda/Ayaka Maekawa 6-1, 6-4.

Singles – 1st round – complete results
(1) Lu Jing-Jing (CHN) d. SE-Nudnida Luangnam (THA) 62 64
Naomi Cavaday (GBR) d. Q-Shannon Golds (AUS) 62 61
Pemra Ozgen (TUR) d. Q-Aleksandra Filipovski (HUN) 61 60
(8) Han Xinyun (CHN) d. WC-Han Na-Lae (KOR) 62 75

(3) Ryoko Fuda (JPN) d. Q-Kim Na-Ri (KOR) 46 60 75
Q-Kim So-Jung (KOR) d. Tadeja Majeric (SLO) 62 63
Chae Kyung-Yee (KOR) d. Lena Litvak (USA) 62 61
(7) Hwang I-Hsuan (TPE) d. Xie Yan-Ze (CHN) 67(3) 75 62

(6) Zhou Yi-Miao (CHN) d. Q-Surina De Beer (RSA) 61 62
SE-Elena Chalova (RUS) d. WC-Sakiko Shimizu (JPN) 60 63
Q-Kim Kun-Hee (KOR) d. Q-Monika Wejnert (AUS) 64 61
(4) Chiaki Okadaue (JPN) d. WC-Kim Ji-Young (KOR) 61 64

Liang Chen (CHN) d. (5) Lee Ye-Ra (KOR) 63 36 61
Ayaka Maekawa (JPN) d. WC-Yea Hyojung (KOR) 64 63
Q-Chang Kyung-Mi (KOR) d. Vivian Segnini (BRA) 63 36 61
Romana Tedjakusuma (INA) d. (2) Lee Jin-A (KOR) 63 62

Doubles - Quarterfinals
(1) Lu Jing-Jing/Sun Sheng-Nan (CHN) d. Ryoko Fuda/Ayaka Maekawa (JPN) 6-1, 6-4
(3) Yayuk Basuki/Romana Tedjakusuma (INA) d. Chang Kyung-Mi/Lee Jin-A (KOR) 7-5, 6-1

(4) Elena Chalova/Eugeniya Pashkova (RUS) d. Lena Litvak/Pemra Ozgen (USA/TUR) 6-2, 6-4
(2) Han Xinyun/Ji Chun-Mei (CHN) d. Maki Arai/ Liu Shaozhuo (JPN/CHN) 6-2, 4-6, 10-8

Photo of Romana Tedjakusuma is courtesy of fedcup.com

Ysidora Tobing falls instantly in Milan Grade A

In singles main draw filled with future stars, the sole Indonesian Grace Sari Ysidora Tobing along with three other ITF A Team members crashed out immediately in the opening round (draw 64) at the prestigious “50th Trofeo Bonfiglio”, an ITF Grade A tourney in Milan, Italy last Monday (May 18, 2009). Playing her first ever clay tourney in Europe, Ysidora Tobing gave everything she could to fight against third seed Ajla Tomljanovic of Croatia. With only one day training on clay, the only Asian in ITF A Team was not expected to win and indeed Ysidora Tobing bowed out to talented Tomljanovic 2-6, 2-6 in the first round. Looking at the bright side, now Ysidora Tobing could have enough preparation on clay as she is heading to “Astrid Bowl” in Charleroi, Belgium where as of May 15, she is number 12 in the main draw.

The other three ITF A Team members such as eighth seed Veronica Cepede Royg from Paraguay, ninth seed Ulrikke Eikeri of Norway and Hungarian Zsofia Susanyi also suffered same first round defeat as Ysidora Tobing. Only eleventh seed South African Chanel Simmonds earned victory in the opening round. Meanwhile two other Asian players in the draw also exited immediately. Indian Kyra Shroff lost to Slovak Chantal Skamlova 3-6, 2-6, while Japanese Akiko Omae was booted out by fifteenth seed Christina Mc Hale from USA in easy 1-6, 0-6.

In doubles, Ysidora Tobing partnered with Japanese Omae and they simply had bad luck as they barely lost to duo Valeria Solovieva/Maryna Zanevska (Russia/Ukraine) 4-6, 4-6. Back to singles, top seed Laura Robson from Great Britain survived the scare in her opening round when she faced Dane Malou Ejdesgaard but she overcame to win 2-6, 6-4, 6-1. In the second round, Robson faced another challenge in more than 2 hours battle but she managed to win 6-3, 7-6(5) over local wild card Julia Mayr. The biggest shock was an upset by talented Anna Orlik of Belarus after she gunned down fifth seed Elena Bogdan from Romania with 6-2, 6-0 victory.

Singolare Femminile – R64 or 1st round results
(1)Laura Robson (GBR) d. Malou Ejdesgaard (DEN) 26 64 61
(wc)Julia Mayr (ITA) d. Ester Goldfeld (USA) 62 62

Tamara Curovic (SRB) d. (LL)Alice Savoretti (ITA) 62 67(7) 62
(14)Yana Buchina (RUS) d. (wc)M.Parmigiani (ITA) 36 61 62

(11)Channel Simmonds (RSA) d. Maryna Zanevska (UKR) 60 62
Vivien Juhaszova (SVK) d. Sachia Vickery (USA) 63 62

Sloane Stephens (USA) d. (SE)Yulia Putintseva (RUS) 64 64
(wc)Nastassja Burnett (ITA) d. (8)Veronica Cepede Royg (PAR) 63 62

(4)Silvia Njiric (CRO) d. Zsofia Susanyi (HUN) 62 63
Eugenie Bouchard (CAN) d. Valeria Solovieva (RUS) 36 64 64

Chantal Skamlova (SVK) d. Kyra Shroff (IND) 63 62
(15)Christina McHale (USA) d. Akiko Omae (JPN) 61 60

(wc)Carolina Pillot (ITA) d. (9)Ulrikke Eikeri (NOR) 64 26 61
(wc)Francesca Mazzali (ITA) d. (Q) Anastasia Mukhametova (RUS) 76(3) 62

Magda Linette (POL) d. (wc)Silvia Albano (ITA) 62 61
(6)Camila Silva (CHI) d. Ilinca Stoica (ROU) 61 26 75

(7)Heather Watson (GBR) d. (Q)Carolina Orsi (ITA) 60 63
Mallory Burdette (USA) d. Polina Leykina (RUS) 62 76(6)

(Q)Michaela Boev (BEL) d. Polina Vinogradova (RUS) 63 62
(12)Lesley Kerkhove (NED) d. (Q)Alessia Piran (ITA) 62 61

(13)Daria Gavrilova (RUS) d. Katerina Paliivets (CAN) 63 63
Aleksandra Krunic (SRB) d. (wc)Martina Di Giuseppe (ITA) 63 62

Isabella Holland (AUS) d. Madison Keys (USA) 62 60
(3)Ajla Tomljanovic (CRO) d. Grace-Sari Ysidora (INA) 62 62

Anna Orlik (BLR) d. (5) Elena Bogdan (ROU) 62 60
Nastja Kolar (SLO) d. (Q)Olivia Rogowska (AUS) 76(3) 64

Martina Trevisan (ITA) d. (Q)Grace Min (USA) 64 62
(10)Jana Cepelova (SVK) d. (Q)Noel Scott (USA) 63 64

(16)Beatrice Capra (USA) d. (wc)Francesca.Palmigiano (ITA) 61 60
Sina Haas (GER) d. Alejandra Granillo (MEX) 36 76(1) 64

Ksenia Kirillova (RUS) d. (Q)Samira Giger (SUI) 63 06 62
(2)Timea Babos (HUN) d. Ekaterina Nikitina (RUS) 63 63

R32 or most of 2nd round results

(1) Laura Robson (GBR) d. (WC) Julia MAYR (ITA) 6-3, 7-6(5)
Tamara Curovic (SRB) vs (14) Yana Buchina (RUS)

(11) Chanel Simmonds (RSA) d. Vivien Juhaszova (SVK) 6-3, 6-2
Sloane Stephens (USA) d. Nastassja Burnett (ITA) 3-6, 6-4, 6-3

(4) Silvia Njiric (CRO) d. Eugenie Bouchard (CAN) 7-6(3), 6-2
(15) Christina Mc Hale (USA) d. Chantal Skamlova (SVK) 6-2, 6-4

(WC) Carolina Pillot (ITA) vs (WC) Francesca Mazzali (ITA)
(6) Camila SILVA (CHI) d. Magda Linette (POL) 7-5, 6-2

(7) Heather Watson (GBR) vs Mallory Burdette (USA)
(Q) Michaela Boev (BEL) vs (12) Lesley Kerkhove (NED)

Aleksandra Krunic (SRB) d. (13) Daria Gavrilova (RUS) 7-6(4), 6-2
(3) Ajla Tomljanovic (CRO) d. Isabella Holland (AUS) 4-6, 6-3, 6-4

Anna Orlik (BLR) vs Nastja Kolar (SLO)
Martina Trevisan (ITA) vs (10) Jana Cepelova (SVK)

Sina Haas (GER) d. (16) Beatrice Capra (USA) 2-6, 6-3, 6-1
Ksenia Kirillova (RUS) vs (2) Timea Babos (HUN)

Photos of Anna Orlik by weiltennis.com; Elena Bogdan by daylife.com

Basuki/Tedjakusuma win opener in "Arirang" land

Indonesian veterans Yayuk Basuki and Romana Tedjakusuma claimed their opening round victory at “ITF Incheon Women’s Challenger Tennis” in Incheon, South Korea on Tuesday (May 19, 2009). Placed as third seed, duo Basuki/Tedjakusuma booked a spot in quarterfinals after they eased past Aussie pair Lucia Gonzalez/Renee Lampret 6-1, 6-2 at Incheon Municipal Tennis Courts. In the last eight round, Basuki/Tedjakusuma will face local duet, Chang Kyung-Mi/Lee Jin-A who crushed local wild card pair Kang You-Jin/Kim Ji-Ae 6-1, 6-0.

In singles’ first round, only two matches were held in the opening day. Eighth seed Han Xinyun from China faced a difficulty in the second set but she prevailed over local wild card Han Na-Lae 6-2, 7-5. On the other hand, seventh seed Hwang I-Hsuan of Chinese Taipei had to fight quite hard as she was forced to drop the opening set but then she fought back to defeat China’s Xie Yan-Ze 6-7(3), 7-5, 6-2.

Doubles – 1st round results
(1) Lu Jing-Jing/Sun Sheng-Nan (CHN) d. WC-Chae Kyung-Yee/ Kim Ji-Young (KOR) 64 64
Ryoko Fuda/Ayaka Maekawa (JPN) d. Naomi Cavaday/Surina De Beer (GBR/RSA) 57 62 10-8
(3) Yayuk Basuki/Romana Tedjakusuma (INA) d. Lucia Gonzalez/Renee Lampret (AUS) 61 62
Chang Kyung-Mi/Lee Jin-A (KOR) d. WC-Kang You-Jin/Kim Ji-Ae (KOR) 61 60

Lena Litvak/Pemra Ozgen (USA/TUR) d. Tadeja Majeric/Vivian Segnini (SLO/BRA) 64 75
(4) Elena Chalova/Eugeniya Pashkova (RUS) d. Hwang I-Hsuan/Kao Shao-Yuan (TPE) 64 64
Maki Arai/ Liu Shaozhuo (JPN/CHN) d. WC-Hong Hyun-Hui/Kim Kun-Hee (KOR) 75 61
(2) Han Xinyun/Ji Chun-Mei (CHN) d. Lizaan Du Plessis/Shannon Golds (RSA/AUS) 63 64

Photo of Hwang I-Hsuan is courtesy of Getty Image

Basuki & Tedjakusuma travel to South Korea 25K

Indonesian veterans Yayuk Basuki and Romana Tedjakusuma continued their journey to the playground of many Kims as Tedjakusuma is listed in the singles’ main draw while duo Basuki/Tejakusuma placed as third seed in the doubles’ main draw of “ITF Incheon Women’s Challenger Tennis” in Incheon, South Korea. The main draw will start on Tuesday, May 19, 2009 and it will be held at Incheon Municipal Tennis Courts until May 24, 2009.

China’s Lu Jing-Jing tops the singles’ main draw and she is drawn to meet recent runner-up of Tanjung Selor 25K, Nudnida “June” Luangnam from Thailand. South Korean player, Lee Jin-A is second seed here at home soil and she will begin her campaign against Tedjakusuma. Hails from Hyogo-ken, Japan is resurgent Ryoko Fuda who is placed as third seed and she will open her quest in improving her world rank against local qualifier Kim Na-Ri. Another player from the land of Ryuichi Sakamoto is fourth seed Chiaki Okadaue who will clash with local wild card Kim Ji-Young.
Meanwhile fifth seed Lee Ye-Ra of South Korea will meet China’s Liang Chen in the opening round, followed by sixth seed Chinese prodigy Zhou Yi-Miao who will play against qualifier Surina De Beer from South Africa. In the meantime, the two remaining seeds, seventh seed Hwang I-Hsuan of Chinese Taipei will battle with China’s Xie Yan-Ze, then eighth seed Han Xinyun of China will be challenged by local wild card Han Na-Lae.

Q1 – results
1-Chang Kyung-Mi (KOR) d. Na Doo-Ri (KOR) 63 60
Mun Ye-Ji (KOR) d. Lucia Gonzalez (AUS) 64 62
Saori Karikomi (JPN) d. Lee Se Won (KOR) 64 60
13-Lizaan Du Plessis (RSA) d. Phoebe Di Leo (USA) 61 61

2-Shannon Golds (AUS) d. Bae Yoo-Ri (KOR) 64 75
Lyoo-Suh Hee-Sun (KOR) d. WC-Zhou Ya (CHN) 61 62
Sim A-Ram (KOR) d. WC-Lee Hwa (KOR) 75 61
10-Han Sung-Hee (KOR) d. Hwang In-Young (KOR) 63 16 75

3-Maya Gaverova (RUS) d. Lee Hye-Min (KOR) 63 76(3)
Etsuko Kitazaki (JPN) d. Renee Lampret (AUS) 63 61
Maxine Thomas (USA) d. Park So-Ri (KOR) 61 62
12-Kim Kun-Hee (KOR) d. WC-Hong Hyun-Hui (KOR) 62 64

4-Monika Wejnert (AUS) d. Daria Maslennikova (RUS) 61 60
Kwak Bo-Ra (KOR) d. WC-Kim Hyun-Jung (KOR) 36 62 61
Yoo Mi (KOR) d. Cho Eun-Hye (KOR) 62 62
14-Maki Arai (JPN) d. Yuka Higashi (JPN) 64 61

5-Kim So-Jung (KOR) d. Oh Ji-Hyun (KOR) 60 61
Sophia Mulsap (THA) d. Ham Soo-Gee (KOR) 62 63
Byun Hye-Mi (KOR) d. Kao Shao-Yuan (TPE) 76(5) 62
11-Kim Hae-Sung (KOR) d. Shin Sung-Hee (KOR) 63 61

Anna Livadaru (GER) d. 6-Liu Shaozhuo (CHN) 64 63
Kim Ji-Sun (KOR) d. Lee Ji-Hyun (KOR) 61 61
WC-Kang You-Jin (KOR) d. WC-Kim Jin-Hee (KOR) 62 63
9-Aleksandra Filipovski (HUN) d. Bae Yoon-Young (KOR) 62 61

7-Surina De Beer (RSA) d. You Ju-Hee (KOR) 75 62
Kim Ju-Eun (KOR) d. WC-Bae So-Hyun (KOR) 63 61
Ham Mi-Rae (KOR) d. Lee Bit-Na (KOR) 64 64
16-Huang Lei (CHN) d. Kim Ji-Ae (KOR) 64 60

8-Eugeniya Pashkova (RUS) d. Byun Hye-Jin (KOR) 61 61
Kim Ji-Hye (KOR) d. Brittany Teei (NZL) 57 63 62
Yoo Soo-Mi (KOR) d. WC-Kim Youn-Ji (KOR) 64 61
15-Kim Na-Ri (KOR) d. Ji Chun-Mei (CHN) 64 64

Q2 – results
1-Chang Kyung-Mi (KOR) d. Mun Ye-Ji (KOR) 63 62
13-Lizaan Du Plessis (RSA) d. Saori Karikomi (JPN) 36 63 63
2-Shannon Golds (AUS) d. Lyoo-Suh Hee-Sun (KOR) 61 60
10-Han Sung-Hee (KOR) d. Sim A-Ram (KOR) 62 60

Etsuko Kitazaki (JPN) d. 3-Maya Gaverova (RUS) 67(8) 62 61
12-Kim Kun-Hee (KOR) d. Maxine Thomas (USA) 60 62
4-Monika Wejnert (AUS) d. Kwak Bo-Ra (KOR) 61 61
Yoo Mi (KOR) d. 14-Maki Arai (JPN) 64 67(4) 62

5-Kim So-Jung (KOR) d. Sophia Mulsap (THA) 61 61
11-Kim Hae-Sung (KOR) d. Byun Hye-Mi (KOR) 63 75
Anna Livadaru (GER) d. Kim Ji-Sun (KOR) 61 16 64
9-Aleksandra Filipovski (HUN) d. WC-Kang You-Jin (KOR) 61 62

7-Surina De Beer (RSA) d. Kim Ju-Eun (KOR) 75 63
Ham Mi-Rae (KOR) d. 16-Huang Lei (CHN) 26 62 76(6)
8-Eugeniya Pashkova (RUS) d. Kim Ji-Hye (KOR) 62 61
15-Kim Na-Ri (KOR) d. Yoo Soo-Mi (KOR) 60 64

Qualifying Finals

1-Chang Kyung-Mi (KOR) d. 13-Lizaan Du Plessis (RSA) 63 64
2-Shannon Golds (AUS) d. 10-Han Sung-Hee (KOR) 63 76(3)
12-Kim Kun-Hee (KOR) d. Etsuko Kitazaki (JPN) 63 76(5)
4-Monika Wejnert (AUS) d. Yoo Mi (KOR) 61 61

5-Kim So-Jung (KOR) d. 11-Kim Hae-Sung (KOR) 62 61
9-Aleksandra Filipovski (HUN) d. Anna Livadaru (GER) 62 63
7-Surina De Beer (RSA) d. Ham Mi-Rae (KOR) 62 61
15-Kim Na-Ri (KOR) d. 8-Eugeniya Pashkova (RUS) 61 75

Singles – Main Draw
(1) Lu Jing-Jing (CHN) vs SE-Nudnida Luangnam (THA)
Naomi Cavaday (GBR) vs Q-Shannon Golds (AUS)
Pemra Ozgen (TUR) vs Q-Aleksandra Filipovski (HUN)
(8) Han Xinyun (CHN) vs WC-Han Na-Lae (KOR)

(3) Ryoko Fuda (JPN) vs Q-Kim Na-Ri (KOR)
Tadeja Majeric (SLO) vs Q-Kim So-Jung (KOR)
Lena Litvak (USA) vs Chae Kyung-Yee (KOR)
(7) Hwang I-Hsuan (TPE) vs Xie Yan-Ze (CHN)

(6) Zhou Yi-Miao (CHN) vs Q-Surina De Beer (RSA)
WC-Sakiko Shimizu (JPN) vs SE-Elena Chalova (RUS)
Q-Monika Wejnert (AUS) vs Q-Kim Kun-Hee (KOR)
(4) Chiaki Okadaue (JPN) vs WC-Kim Ji-Young (KOR)

(5) Lee Ye-Ra (KOR) vs Liang Chen (CHN)
WC-Yea Hyojung (KOR) vs Ayaka Maekawa (JPN)
Vivian Segnini (BRA) vs Q-Chang Kyung-Mi (KOR)
(2) Lee Jin-A (KOR) vs Romana Tedjakusuma (INA)

Doubles – Main Draw
(1) Lu Jing-Jing/Sun Sheng-Nan (CHN) vs WC-Chae Kyung-Yee/ Kim Ji-Young (KOR)
Naomi Cavaday/Surina De Beer (GBR/RSA) vs Ryoko Fuda/Ayaka Maekawa (JPN)
(3) Yayuk Basuki/Romana Tedjakusuma (INA) vs Lucia Gonzalez/Renee Lampret (AUS)
Chang Kyung-Mi/Lee Jin-A (KOR) vs WC-Kang You-Jin/Kim Ji-Ae (KOR)

Lena Litvak/Pemra Ozgen (USA/TUR) vs Tadeja Majeric/Vivian Segnini (SLO/BRA)
(4) Elena Chalova/Eugeniya Pashkova (RUS) vs Hwang I-Hsuan/Kao Shao-Yuan (TPE)
Maki Arai/ Liu Shaozhuo (JPN/CHN) vs WC-Hong Hyun-Hui/Kim Kun-Hee (KOR)
(2) Han Xinyun/Ji Chun-Mei (CHN) vs Lizaan Du Plessis/Shannon Golds (RSA/AUS)

Photos of Lu Jing-Jing & Lee Jin-A are courtesy of tennis.com.au, Ryoko Fuda is courtesy of Hiroshi Sato

Rungkat falls in second round qualifying on the land of Oleg Ogorodov

Indonesia’s numero uno 19 years old Christopher Rungkat just a step away from playing his first ever 35K’s final qualifying but he failed to do so at “Fergana Challenger” in Fergana, Uzbekistan. In Q1 Rungkat crushed Doniyor Usmonov from Uzbekistan 6-1, 6-1 then in Q2 the son of Michael Rungkat and Elfia Nizarwan, could not secure his momentum after he sealed the opening set then eventually lost to fifth seed Nikoloz Basilashvili of Georgia 6-4, 3-6, 2-6. Now small yet energetic Rungkat will bet on his doubles’ action as he is partnered with local player, Rifat Biktyakov, thanks to wild card facility. In contrast, fourth seed Thai Kittipong Wachiramanowong cruised through as qualifier.

Recent winner of Busan 75K in South Korea, Danai “Pik” Udomchoke of Thailand tops the singles’ main draw as first seed. Meanwhile Thai twin brothers, Sanchai and Sonchat Ratiwatana also placed as the top seed in the doubles’ main draw. The Ratiwatanas completed Thais’ clean sweep at Busan 75 K this past week-end.

Qualifying rounds

Q1 results
1-Evgeny Kirillov RUS - BYE
Temur Ismailov UZB d. Odil Akramov UZB 63 16 64
Abror Isakov UZB d. Jakhongir Khaydarov UZB 64 63
8-WC-Ervand Gasparyan RUS d. Maxim Rakovskiy UZB 62 62

2-Irakli Labadze GEO - BYE
Djanibek Orazoliev UZB d. Botir Sapaev UZB 76(6) 64
Aziz Yuldashev UZB d. Umid Shabidinov UZB 61 64
6-Purav Raja IND d. Artem Tarasov UZB 61 64

3-Artem Sitak RUS - BYE
Aleksandr Dmitriev UZB d. Shokruh Madrahimov UZB 61 62
Christopher Rungkat INA d. Doniyor Usmonov UZB 61 61
5-Nikoloz Basilashvili GEO – BYE

4-Kittipong Wachiramanowong THA - BYE
Daniyar Duldaev KAZ d. Pulat Babadjanov UZB 62 63
Arsen Asanov UZB d. Sardor Pulatov UZB 63 64
7-Sarvar Ikramov UZB d. Jakhongir Jalolov UZB 61 46 63

Q2 results
1-Evgeny Kirillov RUS d. Temur Ismailov UZB 60 63
8-WC-Ervand Gasparyan RUS d. Abror Isakov UZB 76(6) 64
2-Irakli Labadze GEO d. Djanibek Orazoliev UZB 62 16 63
6-Purav Raja IND d. Aziz Yuldashev UZB 63 60

3-Artem Sitak RUS d. Aleksandr Dmitriev UZB 60 60
5-Nikoloz Basilashvili GEO d. Christopher Rungkat INA 46 63 62
4-Kittipong Wachiramanowong THA d. Daniyar Duldaev KAZ 61 61
7-Sarvar Ikramov UZB d. Arsen Asanov UZB 63 63

Qualifying final results
1-Evgeny Kirillov RUS d. 8-WC-Ervand Gasparyan RUS 76(8) 64
6-Purav Raja IND d. 2-Irakli Labadze GEO 46 61 62
3-Artem Sitak RUS d. 5-Nikoloz Basilashvili GEO 46 60 62
4-Kittipong Wachiramanowong THA d. 7-Sarvar Ikramov UZB 61 62

Singles – Main Draw
1-Danai Udomchoke THA vs Ilya Belyaev RUS
Yuichi Sugita JPN vs Dusan Lojda CZE
Raven Klaasen RSA vs WC-Vaja Uzakov UZB
8-Lukas Lacko SVK vs Marek Semjan SVK

4-Illya Marchenko UKR vs WC-Sergey Shipilov UZB
WC-Rifat Biktyakov UZB vs Aisam-Ul-Haq Qureshi PAK
Chen Ti TPE vs Q-Purav Raja IND
7-Kamil Capkovic SVK vs Pierre-Ludovic Duclos CAN

5-Samuel Groth AUS vs Andrei Gorban MDA
Ivan Sergeyev UKR vs WC-Murad Inoyatov UZB
Alexey Kedryuk KAZ vs Boy Westerhof NED
3-Alexandre Kudryavtsev RUS vs Pavel Chekhov RUS

6-Konstantin Kravchuk RUS vs Jun Woong-Sun KOR
Jun Mitsuhashi JPN vs Q-Artem Sitak RUS
Chris Eaton GBR vs Q-Kittipong Wachiramanowong THA
2-Pavel Snobel CZE vs Q-Evgeny Kirillov RUS

Doubles – Main Draw

1-Sanchai Ratiwatana/Sonchat Ratiwatana THA vs Kamil Capkovic/Marek Semjan SVK
Raven Klaasen/Danai Udomchoke RSA/THA vs WC-Jakhongir Jalolov/Sergey Shipilov UZB
4-Pavel Chekov /Alexey Kedryuk RUS/KAZ vs Jun Mitsuhashi/Yuichi Sugita JPN
WC-Murad Inoyatov /Vaja Uzakov UZB vs Konstantin Kravchuk/Lukas Lacko RUS/SVK

Chen Ti/Pavel Snobel TPE/CZE vs Qualifier
3-Evgeny Kirillov/Alexandre Kudryavtsev RUS vs Samuel Groth/Purav Raja AUS/IND
Illya Marchenko /Ivan Sergeyev UKR vs WC-Rifat Biktyakov/Christopher Rungkat UZB/INA
2-Pierre-Ludovic Duclos/Aisam-Ul-Haq Qureshi CAN/PAK vs Ilya Belyaev/Boy Westerhof RUS/NED

Photo of Christopher Rungkat by Adji Soedibjo

Tough draw for Ysidora Tobing in the fashion city of Milan

Indonesia’s Grace Sari Ysidora Tobing makes her debut in clay season at “50th Trofeo Bonfiglio” in Milan, Italy. Currently ranked at ITF 51, Ysidora will have tough opening round as she will face third seed Ajla Tomljanovic of Croatia (ranked at ITF 5). Ever since Tomljanovic’s first round defeat at “Australian Open Junior Championships 2009”, this Croat rising star has been playing only in senior pro circuit.

World numero uno Laura Robson is certainly the top seed here and she will begin her campaign as she is drawn to meet Danish Malou Ejdesgaard. Second seed is Timea Babos of Hungary (ranked at ITF 3) and she is going to clash with Russian Ekaterina Nikitina. Another Croat talent, Silvia Njiric is placed as fourth seed and she will play against Zsofia Susanyi from Hungary. Romanian prodigy Elena Bogdan is fifth seed here and will be challenged by Belarus talented player, Anna Orlik. Meanwhile sixth seed Camila Silva from Chile will play against Ilinca Stoica of Romania.
Another British player, Heather Watson is placed as seventh seed and she will face Italian qualifier Carolina Orsi. Last but not least eighth seed Veronica Cepede Royg of Paraguay will meet local wild card Nastassja Burnett.

Two more Asians in the main draw are Indian Kyra Shroff and Japanese Akiko Omae. Shroff will start her quest on clay as she is scheduled to meet Slovak Chantal Skamlova, while Omae will face talented American and fifteenth seed Christina Mc Hale.

Singles – Main Draw
(1)Laura Robson (GBR) v Malou Ejdesgaard (DEN)
Ester Goldfeld (USA) v (wc)Julia Mayr (ITA)

Tamara Curovic (SRB) v (LL)Alice Savoretti (ITA)
(14)Yana Buchina (RUS) v (wc)M.Parmigiani (ITA)

(11)Channel Simmonds (RSA) v Maryna Zanevska (UKR)
Vivien Juhaszova (SVK) v Sachia Vickery (USA)

Sloane Stephens (USA) v (SE)Yulia Putintseva (RUS)
(8)Veronica Cepede Royg (PAR) v (wc)Nastassja Burnett (ITA)

(4)Silvia Njiric (CRO) v Zsofia Susanyi (HUN)
Eugenie Bouchard (CAN) v Valeria Solovieva (RUS)

Kyra Shroff (IND) v Chantal Skamlova (SVK)
(15)Christina Mc Hale (USA) v Akiko Omae (JPN)

(9)Ulrikke Eikeri (NOR) v (wc)Carolina Pillot (ITA)
(Q)Anastasia Mukhametova (RUS) v (wc)Francesca Mazzali (ITA)

Magda Linette (POL) v (wc)Silvia Albano (ITA)
(6)Camila Silva (CHI) v Ilinca Stoica (ROU)

(7)Heather Watson (GBR) v (Q)Carolina Orsi (ITA)
Mallory Burdette (USA) v Polina Leykina (RUS)

Polina Vinogradova (RUS) v (Q)Michaela Boev (BEL)
(12)Lesley Kerkhove (NED) v (Q)Alessia Piran (ITA)

(13)Daria Gavrilova (RUS) v Katerina Paliivets (CAN)
Aleksandra Krunic (SRB) v (wc)Martina Di Giuseppe (ITA)

Madison Keys (USA) v Isabella Holland (AUS)
(3)Ajla Tomljanovic (CRO) v Grace Sari Ysidora (INA)

(5)Elena Bogdan (ROU) v Anna Orlik (BLR)
Nastja Kolar (SLO) v (Q)Olivia Rogowska (AUS)

Martina Trevisan (ITA) v (Q)Grace Min (USA)
(10)Jana Cepelova (SVK) v (Q)Noel Scott (USA)

(16)Beatrice Capra (USA) v (wc)F.Palmigiano (ITA)
Sina Haas (GER) v Alejandra Granillo (MEX)

Ksenia Kirillova (RUS) v (Q)Samira Giger (SUI)
(2)Timea Babos (HUN) v Ekaterina Nikitina (RUS)

Photos of Laura Robson by independent.co.uk; Ajla Tomljanovic by tennischallenge.org; Timea Babos by philstar.com; Silivia Njiric by eddieherr.com

Majeric grabs her 25K's maiden title

In the battle of first timers to play in 25K’s final, eventually eighth seed Tadeja Majeric of Slovenia was triumphant with her 25K’s maiden title at “Bulungan Regent Women’s Open 2009” in Tanjung Selor, Bulungan, East Kalimantan yesterday (May 17, 2009). As result Majeric cruised past resurgent Thai Nudnida “June” Luangnam 6-3, 7-5. Majeric was certainly deserved such title as her overall three weeks’ performance in East Kalimantan spoke for itself. Majeric did not enter Balikpapan 25K but she just signed-in on the site and based on her ranked at WTA 405 prior to the tourney, she became top seed in qualifying rounds then she made it all the way to semi-finals until she bowed out to the eventual winner Ayu Fani Damayanti in three sets. In the second week of Tarakan 10K, 18 years old Majeric lost toYang Yi of China in quarterfinals.

As for Luangnam, despite her failure to claim her 25K’s maiden title, being runner-up was indeed good outcome. After all, it will boost her morale in climbing back to higher rank as she used to be.

Photo of Tadeja Majeric is from itftennis.com

Ysidora raises her level in European tour

Recently turned 16 years old on May 11, 2009, Grace Sari Ysidora Tobing, was officially notified by ITF on April 27, 2008 to join ITF A Team in European tour. ITF's decision was based on Ysidora's best rank at ITF 48 as per April 13, 2009 and as the most potential player of Indonesia. ITF A Team is fully financed by ITF Grand Slam Development Fund. Ysidora is the only Asian and the youngest in this prestigious team and she is joining Veronica Cepede Royg of Paraguay (currently ITF 15, born on January 21, 1992), Norwegian Ulrikke Eikeri (currently ITF 17, born on December 16, 1992), Chanel Simmonds of South Africa (currently ITF 19, born on August 10, 1992) and Ysidora's good friend - Zsofia Susanyi of Hungary (currently ITF 29, born on February 16, 1992). Back in 2007, Ysidora was chosen to be in ITF Under 14 team for European tour as well. Last year, she was also offered to be part of ITF Under 16 team for European tour but she declined such offer since she chose to play more ITF tourneys in cranking-up her world rank.

Together with her team mates, Ysidora is scheduled to play at:

50th Trofeo Bonfiglio Grade A in Milan, Italy from May 18 to 24, 2009 (clay)
45th Astrid Bowl Grade 1 in Charleroi, Belgium from May 25 to 30, 2009 (clay)
Roland Garros Junior Championships Grade A in Paris, France from May 31 to June 7, 2009 (clay)
17th International Junior Tournament Grade 1 at Offenbach/Main, Germany from June 9 to 14, 2009 (clay)
Grass Court Training Camp in London, UK from June 15 to 19, 2009
AEGON International Junior Tennis Championships Grade 1 in Roehampton, UK from June 21 to 26, 2009
The Junior Championships/Wimbledon Grade A in London, UK from June 27 to July 5, 2009

In senior pro, after total of four tourneys since April 2008, Ysidora is now ranked at WTA 906 (singles) and WTA 949 (doubles) as at May 11, 2009.

Bon voyage! Bonne chance, Ysidora!

Photos of Grace Sari Ysidora - private collection

Luangnam sees-off local hope Rompies to reach her first 25K final

Resurgent Nudnida "June" Luangnam of Thailand tarnished last local hope's chance into final as she bounced back to beat wild card Jessy Rompies 3-6, 6-4, 6-4 in the semi-finals of "Bulungan Regent Women's Open 2009" held today (May 16, 2009) at Bulungan Tennis Indoor Complex in Tanjung Selor, East Kalimantan. It will be the first ever final of 25K for SEA Games 2007's silver medalist, while Rompies had to be satisfied with her first appearance in the semi-finals of 25K. In the quarter-finals on Friday (May 15, 2009) currently ranked at WTA 542, Luangnam shocked fifth seed Naomi Cavaday from Kent, Great Britain with 6-4, 6-1 victory. As for Rompies, she had to go through a tough outing against Chinese qualifier Yang Yi but she prevailed to earn victory over Yang 7-5, 6-7(0), 6-2.

In tomorrow's grand finals, Luangnam will challenge the only seeded player left until today, eighth seed Slovenian Tadeja Majeric. In the last four round, Majeric eased past Japanese Erika Sema 6-2, 6-1. On Friday's quarterfinals, Majeric survived a thriller and won over Chinese qualifier Hao Jie 6-3, 2-6, 6-2. Meanwhile Sema stopped such fine run of 16 years old qualifier and lefty Sarah-Rebecca Sekulic from Germany with comfortable 6-2, 6-2 victory. 18 years old Majeric same as her opponent Luangnam, will play her first 25K final and at the same time will try to claim her maiden title in 25K tourney tomorrow.

In the meantime, on Friday evening's doubles finals, Ayu Fani Damayanti/Lavinia Tananta grabbed the title after they breezed past their juniors Beatrice Gumulya/Jessy Rompies 6-1, 6-1. It was the first title in 25K for both Damayanti and Tananta.

Photos of Nudnida Luangnam by daylife.com, Erika Sema by All Japan Junior Tennis

Three seeds fall, while two others reach quarterfinals

Out of five seeded players who performed in second round of "Bulungan Regent Women's Open 2009" only two advanced into quarterfinals. Second seed Stefania Boffa of Switzerland became the highest seed to fall as she was beaten easily by Japanese Erika Sema 1-6, 1-6. Suffering defeat also experienced by fourth seed Vivian Segnini from Brazil after she bowed out to Thai Nudnida "June" Luangnam 4-6, 4-6. In the last three weeks in East Kalimantan circuit, Sukhothai born Luangnam has gradually improved her outing with the fact that she crashed out in first round at Balikpapan 25K then as second round finisher in Tarakan 10K. By reaching the last eight round here, Luangnam will appear in her fourth quarterfinals of 25K after Traralgon, Victoria 2007 then Gimcheon, South Korea and Qian Shan, China both in 2008.

BMW's camp is now quite pleased as Jessy Rompies made a shock when she outclassed sixth seed Montinee "Ploy" Tangphong of Thailand 6-3, 6-3. So, Rompies is ahead 2-0 in her head to head with Tangphong and claims back to back victory over 24 years old Samut Sakhon born. It will be Rompies' second quarterfinals' appearance in 25K after Balikpapan 25K last year. In the last eight round, Rompies will face Chinese qualifier Yang Yi who will play her first ever 25K's quarterfinals. In round 16 today, Yang was simply a better player in all aspects than local wild card Cynthia Melita. Yang booted out Melita 6-1, 6-1.

Two seeds still advanced into quarterfinals are fifth seed Naomi Cavaday of Great Britain and eighth seed Tadeja Majeric from Slovenia. Cavaday halted 7 winning streak of qualifier Yang Zi-Jun from Hong Kong as she edged past 19 years old Yang 6-1, 6-4. Meanwhile Majeric earned her last eight round spot after she breezed past Japanese qualifier Ai Yamamoto 6-2, 6-1.

Two qualifiers, Hao Jie of China and 16 years old Sarah-Rebecca Sekulic from Munich, Germany also advanced into quarterfinals. Hao claimed her back to back victory over young Hungarian Reka-Luca Jani and again same as last week in Tarakan, Hao had to work hard in eventually beating Jani 6-2, 3-6, 6-4. While lefty Sekulic cruised past Indian Poojashree Venkatesha 7-5, 6-2 to grab her first ever quarterfinals in 25K.

Indonesia is guaranteed to have doubles' champion for three weeks in a row as duos Ayu Fani Damayanti/Lavinia Tananta and Beatrice Gumulya/Jessy Rompies won in semi-finals. Duet Damayanti/Tananta eased past Renee Binnie/Ai Yamamoto (Australia/Japan) 6-1, 6-3, while Gumulya/Rompies comfortably won over wild card pair Han Sung-Hee/Kim Kun-Hee of South Korea 6-2, 6-2.

Webley-Smith, Lakhani and three BMW's girls stumble

Three out of four Big Mama’s girls crashed out in the opening round of “Bulungan Regent Women’s Open 2009” in Tanjung Selor, Bulungan, East Kalimantan today (May 13, 2009). The biggest hope of “BMW” camp (BMW stands for Boss Martina Widjaja) Ayu Fani Damayanti could not maintain the momentum of leading 6-3 in the first set, as her opponent eighth seed Tadeja Majeric of Slovenia fought back and sealed 6-4, 6-4 victory in such a sweet revenge. Meanwhile Lavinia Tananta continued her slump as she experienced similar drama as her club mate Damayanti. Tananta had to earn the opening set in hard way but prevailed to close it out 6-4, then Chinese qualifier Hao Jie stormed back to win 6-4, 6-3 and now she gains 3-0 in her head to head with Tananta just in two months. The last casualty was threepeat wild card and mentally fragile Beatrice Gumulya who completed “hattrick” as “Miss first round” within three weeks of East Kalimantan circuit in her adopted province. This time Gumulya suffered another defeat as she lost to Japanese qualifier Ai Yamamoto 4-6, 6-4, 6-7(1). In the final set, younger sister of Sandy Gumulya was on the brink of closing the match when she was up 5-4 but failed to do so then she stumbled in a heart breaking tie break. In ITF Junior Circuit, back in “Pangdam Siliwangi Cup 2005”, an ITF Grade 4 tourney in Bandung, West Java, Yamamoto barely won over Gumulya 6-4, 6-4.

Nevertheless, BMW’s camp could still have a grin as their hard-hitter wild card Jessy Rompies managed to show her mental toughness in a fierce battle and eventually edged past South Korean qualifier Kim Kun-Hee 6-3, 1-6, 6-3. In second round, Rompies will try to secure 2-0 head to head in two weeks against sixth seed Montinee “Ploy” Tangphong from Thailand. While former member of BMW’s camp who was trained only for three months last year then she decided to depart, wild card Cynthia Melita in her debut of 25K’s round 16, will challenge solid Chinese qualifier Yang-Yi.

More seeded players fell in the opening round. First, top seed Emily Webley-Smith from Great Britain lingered her losing trend in jungle empire of East Kalimantan as she lost to Chinese qualifier Yang Yi 1-6 retired. Another victim of the day was seventh seed Isha Lakhani of India who bowed out to German qualifier Sarah-Rebecca Sekulic 3-6, 5-7. In the meantime, the other seeds still advanced into second round such as second seed Stefania Boffa from Switzerland who posted an easy labor 6-1, 6-0 over “wrong choice” of wild card Dian Anggraini. It was Boffa’s back to back victory over Anggraini. Also through was fourth seed Vivian Segnini of “samba” land Brazil after she edged past South Korean Han Sung-Hee 6-4, 7-5. Bad luck for Han as she trails 0-2 in her head to head with Segnini after she lost last week in Tarakan 10K also in such a tight match.

Other non-seeds secured their berth into round 16 as they all saw-off their opponents. Thai Nudnida “June” Luangnam had relatively comfortable outing when she dispatched Japanese Yurina Koshino 6-3, 6-3. Recent winner of Tarakan 10K, qualifier Yang Zi-Jun of Hong Kong stretched her winning streak as she crushed Lu Jia-Jing from China 6-0, 6-1. Also advancing into the next round, Poojashree Venkatesha of India and Japanese Erika Sema. Venkatesha posted a victory over South Korean qualifier Ham Mi-Rae 6-0, 7-5, while Sema cruised past another qualifier Lu Jia-Xiang of China 6-3, 6-3.

In doubles’ quarterfinals, top seed veteran pair Yayuk Basuki/Romana Tedjakusuma of Indonesia forced to lose in a close battle as they bowed out to Ayu Fani Damayanti/Lavinia Tananta 4-6, 5-7. Damayanti/Tananta will meet duo Renee Binnie/Ai Yamamoto (Australia/Japan) in the last four round. Binnie/Yamamoto had relatively easy match as they won 6-2, 6-2 over qualifier Lu Jia-Xiang/Kei Sekine (China/Japan). Wild card pair Han Sung-Hee/Kim Kun-Hee (South Korea) defeated third seed duet Naomi Cavaday/Emily Webley-Smith of Great Britain with walk over. In semi-finals, “Kim Chee” duo, Han/Kim will clash with local pair, Beatrice Gumulya/Jessy Rompies who ousted Isha Lakhani/Zhang Ling (India/Hong Kong) 6-4, 6-4.

At this 25K tourney here in Tanjung Selor, the committee has been holding this event in indoor hard courts. It has been widely known that in the whole Kalimantan including East Kalimantan “black out” is such a common thing. Yesterday, all matches were delayed until late noon due to electricity outage since morning. It was such a shame indeed as the committee could have anticipated it before by providing generator. Well, it happened anyway and another bad public relation for Indonesian tennis!

Photo of Sarah-Rebecca Sekulic is courtesy of sarah-rebecca-sekulic.com