Elbert Sie tries to regain his world rank

September 14, 2008

Number one player of Indonesia, 21 years old Elbert Sie of Bandung had no choice to miss his flight to Bangkok and it paid-off since he won the title at recent "Rizal Mallarangeng Open". This open tourney was part of "Garuda Indonesia Tennis Series" organized by Sportama. The management of Sportama was very professional in giving cash to Sie for getting new airfare then. Eventually Sie arrived on time in Khonkaen, Thailand to play his 1st leg of Thai Men's Future with total prize money of US $ 10,000.

His 1st round campaign at The Srichapan Tennis Academy turned out to be an upset. On September 2, 2008 immediately he was defeated by 19 years old Thai, Peerakiat Siriluethaiwattana, 6-3, 4-6, 1-6. Currently ranked ATP 930, Sie has been working hard to climb back to his best ranking of ATP 687.

The silver medalist of 2007 SEA Games continued his tour and played the 2nd leg of Thai Men's Future at Rama Gardens Hotel in Laksi. Sie earned his 1st round victory in a fierce match when he cruised past lucky loser Lin Dai-Chiao of Chinese Taipei. Sie won 6-2, 6-7(5), 6-3. In 2nd round he forced himself to play with unfit health condition and when he was trailing 5-6 to top seeded Chen Ti of Chinese Taipei then he decided to retire in the 1st set. Chen Ti finally became the winner of this tourney.

In doubles, Sie partnered with Srilankan Harshana Godamanna and they passed 1st round after beating Korean pair, Kim Hyun-Joon/Lim Yong-Kyu 6-3, 6-4. Duo Godamanna/Sie lost 1-6, 2-6 to 4th seeded pair Nathan Thompson/Ryan Young of USA in quarter-final.

In the upcoming final leg of Thai Men's Future in Nonthaburi, based on the singles' draw today, Sie will meet his former doubles' partner, Harshana Godamanna of Srilanka in the opening round. Both players have played before at Thai Men's Future in June 2007 and Sie edged past 23 years old Godamanna, 7-6(2), 6-2.

This week in doubles, Sie made agreement to pair with London born and 21 years old Mikal Statham from New Zealand (ATP 959). Duo Sie/Statham will open their act against local pair, Kirati Siributwong/Peerakit Siributwong in 1st round. The quest for Sie is indeed challenging as he has to defend points of being finalist and quarter-finalist from 2007 Indonesia Men's Future.

Picture by Adji Soedibjo at Thai Futures/Feb/2008