Third seed Zhang bowes out to Jani again

Young Hungarian Reka-Luca Jani continued her fine run in the final week of East Kalimantan Women’s Circuit at “Bulungan Regent Women’s Open 2009” in Tanjung Selor today (May 12, 2009). Jani shocked familiar opponent and third seed Zhang Ling of Hong Kong in a grueling match as the unseeded player claimed 6-3, 0-6, 6-3 victory. In the meantime, on the opening day of main draw only total of four singles matches were held along with first round of doubles.

Despite a long battle, sixth seed Montinee “Ploy” Tangphong of Thailand could have a sigh relief as she fought-off to beat experienced Indian Rushmi Chakravarthi 6-4, 6-7(6), 6-0 to end her back to back opening round outcome. Mixed results came from two local players from different generation. “Veteran” Romana Tedjakusuma continued her slump as she bowed out to fifth seed Naomi Cavaday from Great Britain 0-6, 4-6, while 15 years old Cynthia Melita made a slight surprise as she battled past 22 years old Ankita Bhambri 6-2, 6-4 only in her second participation of 25K.

In doubles’ opening round, top seed veteran pair Yayuk Basuki/Romana Tedjakusuma of Indonesia had to go all the way as Hao Jie/Zhang Ling (China/Hong Kong) pushed them to the limit, but duo Basuki/Tedjakusuma prevailed in a thriller with 6-1, 3-6, 10-7 victory. Two upsets were made by duet Isha Lakhani/Zheng Jun-Yi (India/China) and duo Lu Jia-Xiang/Kei Sekine (China/Japan) who came through qualifying. Lakhani/Zheng shocked second seed pair, Stefania Boffa/Tadeja Majeric (Switzerland/Slovenia) 7-6(5), 2-6, 14-12, while Lu/Sekine edged past fourth seed duo Ankita Bhambri/Rushmi Chakravarthi of India 3-6, 6-3, 10-6.

Other 1st round Doubles’ Results
Ayu Fani Damayanti/Lavinia Tananta (INA) d. (WC) Dian Anggraini/Priscilla Anggrenny Oky-Suconong (INA) 6-1, 6-1
Renee Binnie/Ai Yamamoto (AUS/JPN) d. Lisa Marshall/Poojashree Venkatesha (RSA/IND) 6-4, 7-5
(WC) Han Sung-Hee/Kim Kun-Hee (KOR) d. Reka-Luca Jani/Vivian Segnini (HUN/BRA) 6-4, 6-4
(3) Naomi Cavaday/Emily Webley-Smith (GBR) d. (WC) Dwi Ariyana/Satjaporn Mahajaroenkul (INA/THA) 6-0, 6-0
Beatrice Gumulya/Jessy Rompies (INA) d. Q-Lu Jia Jing/Yang Yi (CHN) 6-0, 6-1

Photos of Reka-Luca Jani by daylife.com; Naomi Cavaday by news.bbc.co.uk

Threepeat of Webley-Smith as top of the draw but how far?

“Bulungan Regent Women’s Open 2009” is underway in Tanjung Selor, East Kalimantan and this year for the very first time it provides total prize money of US $ 25,000. For three weeks in a row, Emily Webley-Smith from Great Britain is the top seed again and she is still struggling to improve her performance. In the opening round, Webley-Smith will face challenge from Chinese qualifier Yang Yi. Déjà vu for second seed Stefania Boffa of Switzerland as she will have back to back outing with local wild card Dian Anggraini. Next in the line-up is third seed Zhang Ling from Hong Kong and for second time in a row, she will play against Hungarian Reka-Luca Jani with highly hope to get her revenge. Fourth seed Brazilian Vivian Segnini will clash with South Korean Han Sung-Hee followed by fifth seed Naomi Cavaday of Great Britain will meet local “veteran” but a resident of California, Romana Tedjakusuma.

Sixth seed Thai Montinee “Ploy” Tangphong will try to end her slump here in East Kalimantan and she is drawn to play against Indian Rushmi Chakravarthi. Seventh seed Isha Lakhani from India will be challenged by German qualifier Sarah-Rebecca Sekulic, then eighth seed Slovenian Tadeja Majeric will try to avenge her defeat against Balinese Ayu Fani Damayanti.

The remaining local players are Lavinia Tananta and three wild cards, Jessy Rompies, Beatrice Gumulya and Cynthia Melita. Tananta will have her third consecutive meetings with Chinese qualifier Hao Jie and she is still trailing 0-2 in her head to head with Hao. Meanwhile Rompies will play against South Korean qualifier Kim Kun-Hee. Then struggling Gumulya will clash with Japanese qualifier Ai Yamamoto and last but not least 15 years old Melita will challenge 22 years old Indian Ankita Bhambri in the first round.

Q1-results
(1) Yang Zi-Jun (HKG) - Bye
Kaori Onishi (JPN) d. Tian Ran 3-6, 6-4, 6-2

(2) Ai Yamamoto (JPN) d. Chen Yen-Ling (TPE) 6-4, 6-2
Zhao Di (CHN) d. Laili Rahmawati Ulfa (INA) 6-3, 6-1

(3) Kim Kun-Hee (KOR) d. Anna Livadaru (GER) 6-0, 1-6, 7-6(5)
Asha Nanda Kumar (IND) d. 12-Trang Huynh Phuong Dai (VIE) 4-0 retired

(4) Hao Jie d. Akshitha Basavaraju (IND) 6-1, 6-0
(10) Renee Binnie (AUS) d. Ma Le (CHN) 6-1, 6-3

(5) Sophia Mulsap (THA) d. Ajeng Aquinia (INA) 6-1, 6-0
(11) Ham Mi-Rae (KOR) d. Zheng Jun-Yi (CHN) 6-2, 6-3

(6) Kanyapat Narattana (THA) d. Lisa Marshall (RSA) 6-2, 6-3
Yang Yi (CHN) d. (14) Satjaporn Mahajaroenkul (THA) 6-4, 6-1

(7) Nicha Lertpitaksinchai (THA) d. Li Wanrong (CHN) 6-4, 6-0
(13) Sarah-Rebecca Sekulic (GER) d. Dwi Ariyana (INA) 6-0, 6-1

(8) Lu Jia Xiang (CHN) d. Priscilla Anggrenny Oky Suconong (INA) 6-0, 6-1
(9) Kei Sekine (JPN) d. Nadia Frederika (INA) 6-1, 6-3


Q2 or Final Qualifying - Results
(1) Yang Zi-Jun (HKG) d. Kaori Onishi (JPN) 6-3 6-4
(2) Ai Yamamoto (JPN) d. Zhao Di (CHN) 3-6, 7-6(5), 6-1
(3) Kim Kun-Hee (KOR) d. Asha Nanda Kumar (IND) 6-1, 6-3
(4) Hao Jie (CHN) d. (10) Renee Binnie (AUS) 6-0, 6-3
(11) Ham Mi-Rae (KOR) d. (5) Sophia Mulsap (THA) 6-3, 6-3
Yang Yi (CHN) d. (6) Kanyapat Narattana (THA) 6-2, 3-6, 7-5
(13) Sarah-Rebecca Sekulic (GER) d. (7) Nicha Lertpitaksinchai (THA) (7) 6-2, 6-3
(8) Lu Jia Xiang (CHN) d. (9) Kei Sekine (JPN) 7-5, 6-7(6), 6-3

Singles – Main Draw
(1) Emily Webley-Smith (GBR) vs (Q)Yang Yi (CHN)
Ankita Bhambri (IND) vs (WC) Cynthia Melita (INA)
(Q) Kim Kun-Hee (KOR) vs (WC) Jessy Rompies (INA)
(6) Montinee Tangphong (THA) vs Rushmi Chakravarthi (IND)

(4) Vivian Segnini (BRA) vs Han Sung-Hee (KOR)
Nudnida Luangnam (THA) vs Yurina Koshino (JPN)
(Q)Yang Zi-Jun (HKG) vs Lu Jia-Jing (CHN)
(5) Naomi Cavaday (GBR) vs Romana Tedjakusuma (INA)

(8) Tadeja Majeric (SLO) vs Ayu Fani Damayanti (INA)
(WC) Beatrice Gumulya (INA) vs (Q) Ai Yamamoto (JPN)
Lavinia Tananta (INA) vs (Q) Hao Jie (CHN)
(3) Zhang Ling (HKG) vs Reka-Luca Jani (HUN)

(7) Isha Lakhani (IND) vs (Q) Sarah-Rebecca Sekulic (GER)
Poojashree Venkatesha (IND) vs (Q) Ham Mi-Rae (KOR)
Erika Sema (JPN) vs (Q) Lu Jia Xiang (CHN)
(2) Stefania Boffa (SUI) vs (WC) Dian Anggraini (INA)

Doubles – Qualifying Results
(1) Lu Jia Jing/ Yang Yi (CHN) d. Nadia Frederika/Cynthia Melita (INA) 6-3, 6-1
(2) Lu Jia-Xiang/ Kei Sekine (CHN/JPN) d. Nicha Lertpitaksinchai/Kanyapat Narattana (THA) Walk Over

Doubles – Main Draw
(1) Yayuk Basuki/Romana Tedjakusuma (INA) vs Hao Jie/Zhang Ling (CHN/HKG)
Ayu Fani Damayanti/Lavinia Tananta (INA) vs (WC) Dian Anggraini/Priscilla Anggrenny Oky-Suconong (INA)
(4) Ankita Bhambri/Rushmi Chakravarthi (IND) vs (Q) Lu Jia-Xiang/Kei Sekine (CHN/JPN)
Lisa Marshall/Poojashree Venkatesha (RSA/IND) vs Renee Binnie/Ai Yamamoto (AUS/JPN)
Reka-Luca Jani/Vivian Segnini (HUN/BRA) vs (WC) Han Sung-Hee/Kim Kun-Hee (KOR)
(3) Naomi Cavaday/Emily Webley-Smith (GBR) vs (WC) Dwi Ariyana/Satjaporn Mahajaroenkul (INA/THA)
Beatrice Gumulya/Jessy Rompies (INA) vs Q-Lu Jia Jing/Yang Yi (CHN)
(2) Stefania Boffa/ Tadeja Majeric (SUI/SLO) vs Isha Lakhani/Zheng Jun-Yi (IND/CHN)

Younger Yang grabs her maiden title in the battle of two Yangs

Yang Zi-Jun of Hong Kong made her biggest breakthrough in 10K final debut at "Tarakan Mayor Women's Open 2009" by claiming her maiden title in senior pro circuit on Sunday (May 10, 2009). In the battle of Yang and Yang, 19 years old China born Jessica as she likes to be called, had a bit tough opening set but she eventually managed to defeat Chinese qualifier Yang Yi 7-5, 6-1. As for slightly older Yang, it was a bitter loss as she had to be content being runner-up again in her second 10K's final.

In semi-finals, Jessica edged past China's Hao Jie 7-5, 6-0 while China's Yang had to give her tougher fight in ousting Japanese Erika Sema 6-1, 2-6, 7-6(3). Both Yangs were continuing their journey to Tanjung Selor 25K and they had to go through qualifying rounds.

Fifth seed Majeric falls, while local last hope Damayanti stumbles

Fifth seed Tadeja Majeric of Slovenia was the only seed left in quarterfinals at "Tarakan Mayor Women's Open 2009" and she was shocked by qualifier Yang Yi from China when she bowed out 5-7, 2-6. 19 years old Yang will play her 10K semi-finals for second time after Nonthaburi 10K, Thailand last year when she ended-up as runner-up. In the last four round, Yang will challenge Japanese Erika Sema who earned her revenge by beating Indonesia's last hope Ayu Fani Damayanti 5-7, 6-3, 6-4. Last week in the final of Balikpapan 25K, Damayanti edged past Sema in two sets.

Meanwhile "Jessica" Yang Zi-Jun of Hong Kong made a breakthrough as she advanced into 10K semi-finals for the very first time. In today's quarterfinals, Yang came back from a set down and stormed back to defeat qualifier Kim Kun-Hee of South Korea 6-7(2), 6-1, 6-3. In the last four round Yang will clash with Hao Jie of China. Hao had to struggle before she eventually won over Hungarian Reka-Luca Jani 7-6(0), 3-6, 6-3.

In doubles' finals, local duo Beatrice Gumulya/Jessy Rompies grabbed the title in a very hard way as they barely defeated second seed pair, Yurina Koshino/Erika Sema of Japan 7-6(5), 6-7(4), 10-7. Together as a pair, it was the first title for Gumulya and Rompies. As for Rompies, today's outcome was her fifth doubles title, while it was the second doubles title for Gumulya.

Photos of Yang Zi-Jun by tennishk.org; Gumulya/Rompies by kabarindonesia.com

Four seeds drop like flies

Surprises continued on in second round of "Tarakan Mayor Women's Open 2009" in Tarakan, East Kalimantan today (May 7, 2009) when total of four seeded players crashed out. Recent winner of Balikpapan 25K Ayu Fani Damayanti stretched her 7 winning streaks after she dispatched second seed Stefania Boffa from Switzerland in such comfortable 6-3, 6-3 victory. In quarterfinals Damayanti will have her back to back match against Japanese Erika Sema since Sema also shocked seventh seed Isha Lakhani of India. 20 years old Sema had a bit of a battle on her hands, but she came through 7-5, 6-2.

Hao Jie of China posted a surprise yet nice win over third seed Vivian Segnini from Brazil 6-2, 6-2, and she will appear in her second quarterfinals of 10K in less than two months after Wellington, New Zealand. Meanwhile South Korean qualifier Kim Kun-Hee overcame eighth seed Nudnida "June" Luangnam from Thailand 6-0, 6-4. In the last eight round, Hao will be challenged by Hungarian Reka-Luca Jani. In the battle of young players, Jani edged past hard hitter Jessy Rompies 6-4, 6-3. In ITF Junior Circuit, Jani have won before over Rompies 7-5, 7-6(5) at Sarawak Grade 1 two years ago. Then Kim will face Yang Zi-Jun from Hong Kong in quarterfinals after Yang bounced back to defeat qualifier Kaori Onishi of Japan 3-6, 7-5, 6-2. It will be Yang's fourth 10K quarterfinals of the season after Jiangmen, Guangzhou both in China and North Shore City, New Zealand.

Another qualifier, Yang Yi of China advanced into the last eight round after she struggled to beat German qualifier Sarah-Rebecca Sekulic 6-4, 7-5. The only seed still claimed victory was Slovenian Tadeja Majeric who ousted qualifier Tian Ran from China 6-4, 6-3.

In doubles' semi-finals, both matches finished in three sets. The only local duo still in the competition, Beatrice Gumulya/Jessy Rompies had to work hard to defeat Reka-Luca Jani/Lu Jia-Jing (Hungaria/China) 6-4, 5-7, 10-2. While the only seeded pair left, duo Yurina Koshino/Erika Sema of Japan survived a thriller as they defeated qualifiers, Lu Jia Xiang/Yang Yi from China 6-7(4), 6-1, 10-5.

Deja vu for Webley-Smith as she crashes out

Top seed Emily Webley-Smith from Great Britain suffered another defeat and it got worst as she lost to Jessica Yang Zi-Jun of Hong Kong in the opening round at "Tarakan Mayor Women's Open 2009" in Tarakan, East Kalimantan today (May 6, 2009). 19 years old Yang indeed created the biggest shock of the day after she was down 0-6 in the first set, then she fought back to claim 6-1, 6-3 victory over experienced Webley-Smith. Last week in Balikpapan 25K, also as top seed Webley-Smith fell in the second round.

Another casualty was fourth seed Zhang Ling of Hong Kong who bowed out to German qualifier Sarah-Rebecca Sekulic 0-6, 4-6. 16 years old lefty Sekulic started her pro career in early August, 2006 and so far, her best result was up to second round at Versmold 10K in Germany last August.

Other seeds still advancing into second round such as third seed Brazilian Vivian Segnini who faced stiff challenge from South Korean Han Sung-Hee but Segnini prevailed to win 7-6(3), 6-4. Then fifth seed Slovenian Tadeja Majeric experienced slight difficulty in the second set but in the end she edged past local wild card Laili Rahmawati Ulfa 6-0, 7-5. Meanwhile seventh seed Isha Lakhani of India had to work extra in earning her triumph over German qualifier Anna Livadaru 6-4, 1-6, 6-2.

Still fresh from winning title of Balikpapan 25K, Balinese Ayu Fani Damayanti cruised past Japanese Ai Yamamoto 6-4, 6-3. In the next round, Damayanti will clash with second seed Stefania Boffa from Switzerland.

In doubles' quarterfinals, the only seeded pair left continued to mrach into semi-finals. Second seed duo Yurina Koshino/Erika Sema survived the scare and defeated qualifier Yang Zi-Jun/Zhang Ling of Hong Kong 7-6(7), 2-6, 10-7. In the last four round, duet Koshino/Sema will play against qualifier Lu Jia-Xiang/Yang Yi from China after Lu/Yang came from behind to beat Thai duet, Sophia Mulsap/Kanyapat Narattana 4-6, 6-1, 10-8. Meanwhile the only local duet still left, Beatrice Gumulya/Jessy Rompies after they ousted Chinese duo, Hao Jie/Zheng Jun-Yi 7-5, 6-4. In semi-finals, Gumulya/Rompies will face Reka-Luca Jani/Lu Jia-Jing (Hungary/China). In today's last eight round, Jani/Lu eased past local wild card duo Cynthia Melita/Laili Rahmawati Ulfa 6-3, 6-3.

Other 1st round results - Singles
(Q) Kaori Onishi (JPN) d. (WC) Cynthia Melita (INA) 4-6, 6-1, 6-1
(Q) Kim Kun-Hee (KOR) d. (Q) Sophia Mulsap 6-4, 6-2
Hao Jie (CHN) d. (Q) Li Wanrong (CHN) 6-4, 6-4
(Q) Tian Ran (CHN) d. Lu Jia-Jing (CHN) 6-4, 7-6(5)
(Q) Yang Yi (CHN) d. Yurina Koshino (JPN) 6-3, 6-3
Erika Sema (JPN) d. Anna Fitzpatrick (GBR) 1-6, 6-1, 6-4

Rompies beats sixth seed Tangphong

Three out of four players from Big Mama's camp were scheduled to play their opening round today (May 5, 2009) at "Tarakan Mayor Women's Open 2009" in Tarakan, East Kalimantan. The only hard hitter from "elite" club owned by Martina Widjaja, President of Indonesia Tennis Association, 19 years old Jessy Rompies ousted sixth seed Montinee "Ploy" Tangphong from Thailand 6-3, 7-6(2). Only four singles matches took place in the opening day at the indoor hardcourts of Tarakan. In the meantime two other players of the most controversial camp in the nation, Lavinia Tananta and wild card Beatrice Gumulya all bowed out after imposing challenges to their opponents.

Tananta continued her slump as she could not maintain her momentum and eventually she lost to eighth seed Nudnida "June" Luangnam of Thailand 6-4, 5-7, 4-6. Then wild card Gumulya had similar outing as Tananta, despite her first set victory, in the end she lost to talented Hungarian Reka-Luca Jani 4-6, 6-3, 6-1. Also advancing into second round was second seed Stefania Boffa of Switzerland. She had an easy opening round after she eased past local wild card Dian Angraini with 6-2, 6-2 victory.

In doubles, three seeded pairs crashed out immediately. Only second seed duo, Yurina Koshino/Erika Sema from the land of Yasunari Kawabata still through into quarterfinals. A slight shock was made by Hong Kong duet, Yang Zi-Jun/Zhang Ling as they defeated local pair, Ayu Fani Damayanti/Lavinia Tananta.

Complete results - Doubles' first round

Reka-Luca Jani/Lu Jia-Jing (HUN/CHN) d. (1) Stefania Boffa/Anna Fitzpatrick (SUI/GBR) 6-4, 7-6(7)
(WC) Cynthia Melita/Laili Rahmawati Ulfa (INA) d. (WC) Dian Anggraini/Priscilla Anggrenny Oky-Suconong (INA) 6-3, 6-3
Beatrice Gumulya/Jessy Rompies d. (4) Vivian Segnini/Emily Webley-Smoth (BRA/GBR) 7-6(4), 6-4
Hao Jie/Zheng Jun-Yi (CHN) d. Lisa Marshall/Kaori Onishi (RSA/JPN) 2-6, 7-5, 10-6
(Q) Lu Jia-Xiang/Yang Yi (CHN) d. (WC) Akshitha Basavaraju/Asha Nanda Kumar (IND) 7-6(4), 6-2
Sophia Mulsap/Kanayapat Narattana (THA) d. (3) Isha Lakhani/Tadeja Majeric (IND/SLO) 6-2, 6-3
(Q) Yang Zi-Jun/Zhang Ling (HKG) d. Ayu Fani Damayanti/Lavinia Tananta (INA) 6-2, 6-3
(2) Yurina Koshino/Erika Sema (JPN) d. Renee Binnie/Ai Yamamoto (AUS/JPN) 6-2, 7-5

Photo of Jessy Rompies by Kompas Images