From Kiwi land with early wins

Three recent members of Fed Cup team, Sandy Gumulya, Ayu Fani Damayanti and Jessy Rompies passed their opening round and through into second round of “ASB Pro Circuit” tournament with total prize money of US $ 10,000 in North Shore City, New Zealand today. Indonesian numero uno, Gumulya is top seed here but she was forced to play tough battle by 18 years old, Alenka Hubacek of Australia. Gumulya is currently at WTA 293 and she faced difficulty in anticipating grueling fight from world ranked 545 Hubacek. Only saved by the bell, Gumulya barely prevailed to escape an Aussie’s scare, 7-5, 3-6, 7-6(4). Hubacek’s best record came true when she was given a wild card but managed to finish as quarter-finalist of Kawana 25K, Australia last September.

Being rusty was certainly experienced by world ranked 564 Damayanti, too. She had to work hard to earn her spot in the second round. Probably she have been slept in the opening round or had “day dream” as she crushed easily by silver medalist at 2007 SEA Games, Nudnida Luangnam or June from Thailand. Damayanti lost 0-6 in the first set, but then she bounced back to win 6-4, 6-2. In the next round, she will face her compatriot, Gumulya and so far the top seed still leads 4-1 in her international meetings with Damayanti. Meanwhile, in the last national circuit, Gumulya lost to the Balinese girl in the round-robin match during “Garuda Indonesia Tennis Masters” last December.

Youngest of the pack, Jessy Rompies, a qualifier here also got through into second round same as her seniors. In the opening round this morning, Rompies (WTA 720) secured her win after defeating Japanese Yurina Koshino (WTA 612) 6-4, 6-3. As 7th seed in qualifying round, Rompies saw off another Japanese, Etsuko Kitazaki 6-3, 6-0 in Q1. Then in Q2 or final qualifying, she edged past 16th seed Australian, Julia Moriarty, 6-0, 7-5. In the second round on Thursday, Rompies will challenge fifth seed and 28 years old South Korean, Chae Kyung-Yee. Chae is now at WTA 369 and had her best outcome of 2008 season when she became runner-up at Miyazaki 25K, Japan and only beaten by former WTA 4 in 1995, Kimiko Date-Krumm.

Another member of Fed Cup squad, Lavinia Tananta (WTA 565), will play her opening round tomorrow against South Korean qualifier, Kim Hae-Sung (WTA 676). In doubles, only Damayanti and Tananta are paired, while Gumulya and Rompies are only playing singles. Today duo Damayanti/Tananta cruised past second seed pair, Nicole Clerico/Ana Clara-Duarte (Italy/Brazil) 7-6(4), 6-3. In the quarter-final, Indonesian duet will clash with Aussie pair, Alison Bai/Renee Binnie. Bai/Binnie won their opening round over local wild card, Luci Barlow/Dianne Hollands 7-5, 6-2.

Based on my observation, Gumulya actually had entered 50 K in Clearwater, Florida (February 23 to March 1, 2009) and also 25 K in Fort Walton Beach, Florida (March 2-8, 2009). Then unsurprised news came when Gumulya was ordered by her manager and her coach at the “elite” camp owned by “Big Mama” to withdraw from North American tour. As consequence, she got fine in US dollars. In my opinion, bosses at the “elite” camp are concerned with Gumulya’s world rank as it is approaching 300 now. Most likely they thought that it will be easier for Gumulya to grab title here or simply to boost her confidence back. But the biggest stake holder of Indonesian tennis, the crazy fans think that all in all Gumulya’s game quality is still suitable to 10K level. Indeed, such “beauty” of Indonesian tennis nowadays! Truly pathetic!