Grace Sari Ysidora is the youngest and early fight of Widjaja against Gumulya at "Garuda Indonesia Tennis Masters"

Recently come back former tennis queen Angelique Widjaja faces an early battle against her successor and current number one Sandy Gumulya tomorrow at the most prestigious tennis event in Indonesia. “Garuda Indonesia Tennis Masters” is making new record in Indonesian tennis history with its total prize money of 500 million rupiahs and the peak of all tennis events this year in the land of Yayuk Basuki will begin officially from December 10-14, 2008 at Tennis Complex of The Executive Club at The Sultan Hotel, Jakarta. “Garuda Indonesia Tennis Masters” is the ultimate contest as previously total of five series were held under the name of "Garuda Indonesia Tennis Series” which initiated and organized by “Sportama”. This promising sport event management owned by Widjaja and her partners is in partnership with the national carrier "Garuda Indonesia" as the main sponsor. The five series were successfully staged from the earliest “Sportama Championships” in Jakarta, followed by “Oke Shop” tourney in Surabaya, then “Rizal Mallarangeng Cup” in Jakarta, after that “BTPN Cup” in Solo and eventually ended with “Alfamart Cup” again in Jakarta on November 30, 2008. Each one of the five series provided total prize money of 150 million rupiahs.

Starting from the first until the fifth series, each player competed to be the best in accumulating the most Masters' points so then they could perform at “Garuda Indonesia Tennis Masters”. Upon the completion of all five series, the overall standing of eight top in men's singles and women's singles as well as eight top pairs in men's doubles is clear and certainly eligible for Masters. While only four spots are reserved in women's doubles.

“Drawing ceremony” followed with “Welcome Party” were nicely organized by "Sportama" at Libra Room of the Executive Club at the Sultan Hotel, Jakarta last night. Some very important persons were attending the events such as President Director of “Garuda Indonesia” as the main sponsor, Mr. Emirsyah Satar, and the President of Indonesia Tennis Association, Mrs. Martina Widjaja along with her oldest daughter, Shinta Widjaja who is Head of the Promotion & Fund Department within the Association. Also Head of the Tournament Department, Mr. Johanes Susanto accompanied by another incumbent in Widjaja's current regime, Mr. Christian Budiman. Obviously President Director of “Sportama”, Mr. Glenn Sugita was safe enough to be acknowledged as the host along with Tournament Director, Mr. Teddy Tanjung. As "drawing ceremony" began, Mr. Tanjung took charge with the assistance of the Masters' Referee, Mr. Akhyar Matra. It was really nice to see all the qualified players present last night and some of their parents were visible among the guests.

“Drawing ceremony” automatically separated the Masters' race leader and an immediate next in-command into two different groups for men's singles, women's singles and men's doubles. Then the remaining contenders were drawn accordingly. In men's singles, "Garuda" or mythical bird group consisted of top seed Elbert Sie, third seed Prima Simpatiaji, sixth seed Sebastian Da Costa and seventh seed Surya Wijaya Budi. Meanwhile in "Rajawali" or eagle group, the line-up is second seed Sunu Wahyu Trijati, fourth seed Andrian Raturandang, fifth seed Christopher Rungkat and eighth seed Nesa Arta.

Women's singles divided into "Cenderawasih" group and "Merak" group. "Cenderawasih" or bird of paradise group is filled with top seeded Ayu Fani Damayanti, fourth seeded Angelique Widjaja, sixth seeded Sandy Gumulya and seventh seeded Septi Nindya Yutami Mende. In the meantime, "Merak" or peacock group is having second seeded Liza Andriyani, third seeded Lavinia Tananta, fifth seeded as well as the youngest player Grace Sari Ysidora and eighth seeded Jessy Rompies.

In the category of men's doubles, "Elang" or hawk group comprised of first seeded pair Hendri Susilo Pramono/Nesa Arta, fourth seeded Aditya Hari Sasongko/Andery Setyawanto, sixth seeded Edy Kusdaryanto/Ferdy Fauzi and eighth seeded Elbert Sie/Ryan Tanujoyo. In "Kasuari" or cassowary group, the pairs are second seed Prima Simpatiaji/Sunu Wahyu Trijati, third seed Sebastian Da Costa/Surya Wijaya Budi, fifth seed David Agung Susanto/Faisal Aidil and seventh seed Andrian Raturandang/Christopher Rungkat.

For all the three categories mentioned above, each group will feature round-robin and in the semi-final first place of one group will clash with second place of another group and the other way around. In women's doubles with only four pairs, the semi-final will be staged immediately and the match-ups are top seeded Ayu Fani Damayanti/Liza Andriyani against third seeded Angelique Widjaja/Sandy Gumulya, then second seeded Lavinia Tananta/Jessy Rompies versus fourth seeded Grace Sari Ysidora/Septi Nindya Yutami Mende.

The first match on December 10, 2008 will start at 10 am and four matches of men's singles are scheduled as follows: Elbert Sie vs Surya Wijaya Budi, Prima Simpatiaji vs Sebastian Da Costa, Sunu Wahyu Trijati vs Nesa Arta, Andrian Raturandang vs Christopher Rungkat. Then the second match will not be played until 11.30 am which will show four matches of women's singles and consisted of: Ayu Fani Damayanti vs Septi Nindya Yutami Mende, Angelique Widjaja vs Sandy Gumulya, Lavinia Tananta vs Grace Sari Ysidora, Liza Andriyani vs Jessy Rompies. The third or last match of the opening day will be four matches of men's doubles.

Relax and warm atmosphere blanketed "Welcome Party" last night. In particular all the women players looked beautiful and cheerful when they were asked to sing on the stage. The next day will be another day for the players to go all the way. Bonne chance!

Photo of Grace Sari Ysidora by Adji Soedibjo