Jakarta ITF Grade 2 returns without the same sponsor

ITF Grade 2 tourney will start tomorrow at Kemayoran Tennis Center, Jakarta and it will take place at a mediocre tennis facility owned by "tennis diva" Martina Widjaja who is still the President of Indonesia Tennis Association. Ever since its inauguration in 2003, this tourney had been sponsored by Salonpas and known as "Salonpas Indonesia International Junior Championships" but Salonpas' commitment eventually ended last year. So, it is now called as "Indonesia International Junior Championhips" and the departure of some sponsors including Salonpas came as no surprise for "smart fans" despite Widjaja's complaints. It is timely overdue for Widjaja as the captain of Indonesian tennis bureaucracy to check into herself and how she manages most of her cronies. It is easy guess for even child age's fans, when eventually Widjaja takes out of her fluid bank accounts to save this tourney.

Sunu Wahyu Trijati from Central Java was a history maker in this tourney as he took singles' title in 2003 and 2004. Jessy Rompies finally claimed her third ITF junior title here barely before she turned 18 years old last year. Rompies set a benchmark and created better outcome than Maya Rosa, runner-up in 2003 and Mia Sacca, also runner-up in 2007.

Some notable overseas players who grabbed singles' title such as Chan Yung-Jan of Chinese Taipei, winner of 2003 and 2005. The current world number one in ITF junior tour, Noppawan "Nok" Lertcheewakarn from Thailand took the title in 2006.

In boys' singles the first seed is likely younger brother of Hsieh Su-Wei from Chinese Taipei, currently ranked 18 in the world, Hsieh Cheng-Peng. Followed by his compatriot, Huang Liang-Chi as second seed, then German Dominik Schulz will be third seed. Fourth seed is likely Austrian Maximilian Neuchrist, followed by winner of 2008 ITF Grade 4 in Surabaya and Solo, Samuel Barry of Ireland. Sixth seed will be Dino Dell'Orto of Hong Kong, then Sudanwa Sitaram will be seventh seed and last but not least local player, David Agung Susanto as eighth seed.

In girls' singles 18 years old and the current world ranked number 24 Beatrice Gumulya is undoubtedly to be the top seed. A late bloomer, Gumulya will try to earn her only second title in ITF Junior circuit since she was runner-up in this tourney last year. Two Thai players, Kanyapat Narattana and Natchanok Saenyaukhot will be second and third seeds respectively. Indian Kyra Shroff is likely to be placed as fourth seed, followed by Thai descent from New Zealand, Katherine Westbury will be fifth seed, while up and coming Grace Sari Ysidora is most certain to be sixth seed. The two remaining seventh and eighth seeds will be Juan Ting-Fei of Chinese Taipei and Indian Ashvarya Shrivastava.

Based on the information from Tournament Director, Johannes Susanto, wild cards in the main draw are given to Ega Uneputty, Iben Zulkarnain, Indra Wijaya and Louis Theodor for boys' singles. While talented Aldila Sutjiadi, Dina Karina, Kely Restiana Putri and Dwi Rahayu Pitri are girls' singles wild card receivers.