Kazakhstan can be a threat at 2010 Asian Games in Guangzhou

The biggest multi-event in Asia will be held in Guangzhou, China and it is only 2 years away till 2010 Asian Games kicks-off eventually. Indonesian tennis had long history since 1966 Asian Games in Bangkok all the way to 2002 Asiad in Busan with its tradition of collecting at least a gold medal. At the last 2006 Asian Games in Doha, Qatar, for the first time Indonesian tennis team went home with an empty bag.

Ever since the departure of former star Angelique Widjaja from the tour, Indonesian tennis fans no longer can witness any local player to compete as main draw’s direct entrant into at least tier IV tournament which is part of Sony Ericsson WTA tour. In 2009, it gets even tougher to participate in International Series as tier III and IV are gone. In the meantime, other countries are in better shape with notable players such as Tamarine Tanasugarn, Li Na, Zheng Jie, Sania Mirza, Chan Yung-Jan, Ayumi Morita, Akgul Amanmuradova.

It is widely known that Russia has become tennis powerhouse with many talented players. It is obvious that the competition is very tight among Russian players themselves in gaining world class status. Two women players from Russia, Yaroslava Shvedova and Galina Voskoboeva have moved to play for Kazakhstan this year. It will not be a surprise to find out later on that Shvedova and Voskoboeva may team-up for their new country in any team event such as Fed Cup or Asian Games.

Both Shvedova and Voskoboeva are familiar faces for avid tennis fans at WTA Bali in recent years. 21 years old Shvedova despite of her highest ranking at WTA 70 last year, at this point she is at WTA 91. In 2007 she claimed her maiden title in WTA tour at Bangalore and her only title till now. This season her best outcome was at Monterrey 100K in Mexico where she was the winner. Shvedova also made into the main draw of US Open 2008 from qualifying round but bowed out to Agnieszka Radwanska in the opening round.

In the meantime, Galina Voskoboeva, three years older than Shvedova is currently ranked at WTA 94. This year she closed with her best result in WTA tour as quarter-finalist at Quebec City. In Roland Garros 2008, partnering with American Ashley Harkleroad, she reached doubles' quarter-final.

The same exodus also can be witnessed in the men's side. Andrey Golubev, resident of Bra in Italy has joined his fellow Russians to play for Kazakhstan. Golubev is also 21 years old and is currently ranked at ATP 94. His best achievement this season was his sensational run into the final of ATP tourney in St. Petersburg, Russia. En route to the final, he saw off former world number one Marat Safin and eventually crushed by Andy Murray who defended his title.

Another Russian is 29 years old Yuriy Schukin and now he has moved to play for Kazakhstan as well. Schukin is currently ranked at ATP 187 and teamed-up with Golubev, they already played for Kazakhstan's Davis Cup squad in its Asia Oceania Group I play-off against the Philippines.

In the recent Asian Hopman Cup in Aztana, Kazakhstan, both Shvedova and Golubev represented their adopting country. In the final tie in Group A, Kazakhstan defeated Thailand. Shvedova won easily over Thai veteran Tamarine "Tammy" Tanasugarn 6-1, 6-2, while Golubev clinched 7-5, 7-5 victory over Danai Udomchoke. In the final, Kazakhstan bowed out to Chinese Taipei as both Shvedova lost to Hsieh Su-Wei then Golubev outclassed by Lu Yen-Hsun. Therefore, Chinese Taipei was eligible to join the other teams from USA, Russia, France, Australia, Italy, Germany, and Slovak Republic at Hyundai Hopman Cup in Perth, Australia early January 2009.

Time is ticking and at this moment Indonesian men and women players still have a lot to catch-up in terms of quality. Right now, our top male player Elbert Sie is only ranked at ATP 1390 after his highest rank at ATP 687 in 2007. Meanwhile, the current queen of Indonesia, Sandy Gumulya is ranked at WTA 250. Gumulya's ranking will slide down to WTA 290s next week since she lost her winner's points from Pune 25K last year. Much strategic work must be performed by our players to be highly competitive in the upcoming Guangzhou's Asian Games. We are all tennis freaks anxiously waiting for a major improvement indeed or we will topple the current regime of Indonesia Tennis Association!!!

Photos are courtesy of zimbio.com