Indonesian players' lack of respect towards Cigna Open

The continuous "Cigna Open" in its 10th year commitment was officially opened today at 9 am on the center court of The Executive Club's Tennis Complex at Sultan Hotel, Jakarta. The organizing committee had set an announcement a couple days prior to the opening ceremony that all players had no exception but they had to attend it and in the case of their no show, there will be 10% deduction of the prize money given to them. There were a number young players who came late to this important moment of the tourney. It was very disappointing indeed to witness that few players did not have their shoes on, instead they used slippers. The worst thing, two members of Davis Cup players along with several players did not bother to be present and one player said that 10% deduction of the prize money was no big deal for him. This disrespect attitude was intolerable at all. It showed that again and again Indonesian players in general had small appreciation towards the sponsor. Can these players imagine if PT Asuransi Cigna decide to end their commitment in funding a tourney? Why can;t the players equal the sponsor's commitment?

In the third day of "10th Cigna Open", there were three interesting matches in the opening round of men's singles. A veteran player from Surabaya, 40 years old Bonit Wiryawan had to face strong challenge from 32 years old Yusmawan Fahmi. Both players put an energetic showdown with their groundstroke contest and long rallies, but in the end Wiryawan prevailed to clinch 6-3, 2-6, 7-5 victory over Semarang resident Fahmi. Meanwhile 16 years old Michael Christian survived a sizzling hot battle against Central Kalimantan player, Panji Bana. Christian eventually won 7-6(4), 4-6, 7-6(5). A duel of qualifiers between 29 years old Ferdy Fauzi and his 13 years younger opponent, Michael Weiss Pedersen. The younger player shocked an experienced Fauzi when he took the first set, 6-3. Pedersen put a hard fight along the match and made Fauzi gave everything he got then he secured his 6-2, 6-1 in the two remaining sets.

As the two highest seeds in women's singles requested to play on Wednesday, February 11, 2009, so third seed Grace Sari Ysidora was scheduled to open her campaign on center court. Ysidora took only 52 minutes to beat Kely Restiana Putri 6-0, 6-2. Ysidora was simply dominating the first set with her typical attacking game equipped with good serve. In the second set, this number two junior player in Indonesia quickly cruised on and led 3-0 but then she lost her concentration which made Putri earned 2 games in a row. It was like a wake-up call then for Ysidora as she regrouped and returned to her own game plan to win 6-2 eventually. During the match, Ysidora produced winners mostly from her lethal forehand.

Match statistics: Ysidora (60% 1st serve percentage, 4 double faults, 13 winners, 9 unforced errors); Putri (47% 1st serve percentage, 7 double faults, 1 winner, 15 unforced errors)

Other players also advanced into the second round such as eighth seed Cynthia Melita who double bageled 37 years old Dewi Fortuna, then fourth seed Mia Sacca also won easily 6-0, 6-0 over Dina Azwar. Wild card Bella Destriana defeated fifth seed Priscilla Anggrenny Oky Suconong 6-3, 6-3 to book a second round ticket, along with seventh seed Dian Anggraini, sixth seed Laili Rahmawati Ulfa.