The most prestigious national tourney known as “Cigna Open” in its 10th consecutive year finally ended yesterday and the main sponsor PT Asuransi Cigna can be proud as their tourney is indeed still rain survivor all these years. The final day at Sultan Hotel Executive Club was interrupted with showers for several times. Men's singles final was scheduled at 09.30 AM and soon after both players, top seed Christopher Rungkat and fifth seed Nesa Arta completed their warm-up, the match was postponed due to rain. Then after such delay, the match continued only until Rungkat was ahead 3-2 (0-30) and rain fell again. After 1 hour and 10 minutes or so, the battle between two Davis Cup team mates was resumed and as predicted Rungkat played very well with higher level of tennis than his opponent. Equipped with agile footwork, good return serve and precised shot placement, Rungkat was practically control the whole match with 6-2, 6-1 victory. As Rungkat took his first title here at this tourney, he set the benchmark as the youngest ever winner of "Cigna Open". In my opinion, his achievement will be a record for along time, as I do not see any prospective young boy as of now or even in the near future.
Women's singles final fielded top seed and recent Fed Cup team member, Jessy Rompies who defeated third seed and fans' favorite Grace Sari Ysidora 6-4, 6-2. Ysidora began her campaign with holding serve and suddenly it rained again. Both finalists had to wait for about 4 hours until they resumed their final match at court number 9 as the sun went down already. Apparently the center court was not dry enough for the showdown. Eventually Rompies ended her rusty condition in a revenge stint over Ysidora. She looked confident and fresher than her younger opponent despite such long delay.
As for Ysidora, she did not seem to be in her best physical condition and she did not apply her typical attacking game at all. In the second set, only in three games, fans could witness an intense fight between the two players. Rompies deserved to claim "Cigna Open" title for the very first time as she was already runner-up last year. While Ysidora became the second youngest runner-up in the history of "Cigna Open" after Lutfiana Aris Budiharto made it in 2006.
Match statistics: Rompies (58% 1st serve percentage, 5 aces, 3 double faults, 15 winners, 26 unforced errors); Ysidora (63% 1st serve percentage, no ace and double fault, 9 winners, 26 unforced errors).
Men's doubles final on court number 4 became a close battle only in the second set. In the opening set, top seed pair Rungkat/Arta sealed 6-1 victory. Then the older pair and second seed, Andrian Raturandang/Bonit Wiryawan challenged the younger pair all the way to force tie break but in the end, Rungkat/Arta secured 7-4 to win it. So, both Rungkat and Rompies were successful in grabbing singles and doubles titles.
For the next "Cigna Open", it will be nice to provide players' lounge as it is a common facility for players based on my observation when I visited ATP Bangkok, WTA Pattaya, Japan Open in Tokyo for example. All these years, at the "gazebo" of Sultan Hotel I experienced a crowded atmosphere where officials, players, families and journalists were all flocked in the same area. In the case of player does not attend the opening ceremony, prize money deduction must be higher, not only ten percent but it can be between thirty to fifty percent. Therefore, some arrogant top players and even mediocre players who claimed to be good, they should check-in into themselves whether or not they are ready to sharpen their professional attitude.
Picture is private collection
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