Former WTA 55 Angelique "Angie" Widjaja made her fans happy as she returned to play singles and grabbed the title at "Alfamart Cup", the fifth serie or final one as part of "Garuda Indonesia Tennis Series". These series of tourney has been organized by Angie and her team of former tennis players under the name of "Sportama".
Ever since the first serie was held, Angie has played only in doubles until the previous serie in Solo, Central Java where she was stopped by the eventual champion, Ayu Fani Damayanti in the singles' semi-final. In the quarter-final, as wild card Angie slammed Beatrice Gumulya 6-2, 7-5. Realizing her prospect to play in "Garuda Indonesia Masters" on December 9, 2008, then she decided to compete again in the final serie here at Sultan Hotel Executive Club, Jakarta. As wild card, Angie saw off teenager Tria Rizki Amalia 6-1, 6-3 in the opening round. Sixth seeded Mia Sacca was ousted by Angie 2-6, 0-6 in the second round.
In the quarter-final Angie was actually having "real final" against up and coming Grace Sari Ysidora. Both players used to be coach by Meiske Wiguna and then Angie for many years till she became pro with two WTA titles was trained by Deddy Tedjamukti. Tedjamukti then began to coach Ysidora and it has been almost a year now. In this match, both players Angie and Ysidora demonstrated their solid groundstrokes with long rallies involved. In the first set, Angie was leading 2-5 but then Ysidora fought back to level at 5 all. Eventually Angie complemented with her vast experience was able to secure the opening set 7-5.
In the second set, Angie took another lead, 5-1 but again Ysidora did not give up instead she fought hard to level it at 5 all. "De javu" as Angie closed it out 7-5. Angie praised her junior that she is talented with strong return serve but she added that Ysidora still lacked of mental toughness in finishing critical points. These two Bandung residents spent 2 hours and 7 minutes on the center court. In my opinion, Angie was still solid in her groundstrokes and for sure her well-known moon balls were quite effective but this time Ysidora pocketed the answers to handle them. Ysidora hit two aces during the match and she said that she was happy despite another defeat. In the first meeting with her senior at National Games' team event, Ysidora lost to Angie 6-2, 3-6, 5-7. She admitted that back then she still had problem in hitting back Angie's notorious moon balls.
In the semi-final, Angie gave shock theraphy and gunned down second seed Jessy Rompies 6-3, 7-6(11). It was quite good match indeed to witness. Rompies scared Angie with four aces but she also had three double faults. The other last four round was battle between top seed Lavinia Tananta and fourth seed Liza Andriyani. Andriyani stole the show with victory over Tananta 4-6, 6-1, 7-5. It was a big shock for Martina Widjaja's camp as Rompies and Tananta bowed out. Big question over the quality of their coaching method and tour management. After all, these young girls lost to their seniors who have lack of training exposure and no more overseas stints.
In the final, it was relatively easy for Angie to disptach Andriyani 6-3, 6-2. With this outcome, Angie is entitled to play at "Garuda Indonesia Masters" with the other seven players including Damayanti, Andriyani, Tananta and Ysidora to name a few.
In doubles, as top seeded Angie/Andriyani took the title as they defeated third seeded Septi Mende/Ysidora 6-1, 6-2. It was an anti-climax performance by Mende/Ysidora after their surprise victory over second seeded pair, Rompies/Tananta 7-6(6), 6-3 in the semi-final. It was such a blow for "Big Mama's camp". Ysidora was truly the star with her explosive return-serve.
Photo of Angie is courtesy of Dwi Ari Setiyadi in Kompas Images
Photo of Andriyani is by Adji Soedibjo published in indotennis.com
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