Amazing run by seventh seed Australian girls, as they crushed third seed Indonesian girls 3-0 in the semi-finals of Asia/Oceania Final Qualifying event for the Junior Davis & Fed Cup in Shepparton, Victoria today (April 19, 2009). In the first singles rubber, Molly Polak came out strong and edged past Cynthia Melita 7-5, 6-4. In the second singles rubber, Grace Sari Ysidora and Viktorija Rajicic played in a do or die battle. Ysidora took the opening set 6-4 but then she bowed out to Rajicic 3-6, 2-6 eventually. Based on the information from Ysidora's management, Ysidora had felt pain around her waist 2 days ago and it affected her game against Thailand yesterday. Today, she played with such problem and in the second set, she asked for medical time out but then she kept on playing. Meanwhile Melita also had swollen toes since yesterday. Bad luck for Indonesian team. In the last rubber, Melita and Rekyan Woro lost easily to Polak and Alexandra Nancarrow 2-6, 0-6. A big credit to Aussie girls as they have prepared well as hosting nation by their own choice of court on grass.
Nevertheless, it was an optimum achievement by Indonesian girls after many years when Indonesia Tennis Association did not prepare them well. Ysidora had on her own tour schedule in Asia as preparation as way to move her rank up to currently at ITF 48 as well as to lift her nation's position to be third seed here. While Melita had her own training including a stint in Sarawak Grade 1. Then Woro had no choice but to be trained alone at Big Mama's camp for a week prior to this event. Sure, Indonesian girls had no adequate practice on grass at all. Just on practice day, a day before the event began. What a shame again for Indonesia Tennis Association which did not even bother to provide specific tennis shoes for grass court. As result, pain or injury occured. This attitude by Big Mama's regime has been lingering for years. Indonesia Tennis Association expected Ysidora and her team mates to reach semi-finals just for the sake of saving Big Mama's scary face. It was all her lip service as she promised to finance the players for a couple of tourneys. In the end, Big Mama said that Indonesia Tennis Association had no fund. People don't change!
Australia will face top seed Japan in the final tomorrow. Japan booted out second seed China 3-0. In the second singles, Risa Ozaki defeated Tang Hao-Chen 6-3, 6-4. Then Akiko Omae had to utilize her "bushido" spirit to beat China's numero uno Zheng Sai Sai 4-6, 7-5, 6-4. Finally, duo Emi Mutaguchi and Risa Ozaki edged past Yang Zi and Tang Hao-Chen 6-3, 6-2.
Interesting facts from this event, some captains for participating teams are former active players in ATP and WTA tour. Australian boys team is captained by former world number one Patrick Rafter, while the Aussie girls are lucky to have Alicia Molik as their captain. Then South Korean girls are honored to have Cho Yoon-Jeong as the captain. Also Kiwi boys are accompanied by Alistair Hunt who had career high at ATP 184. And last but not least, Uzbekistan Junior Fed Cup team is captained by Oleg Ogorodov who was once reached ATP 101.
Photos of Australian team, Molly Polak & match between Rajicic and Ysidora - courtesy of tennisaustralia.com
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