Ami Afriatni

Christopher Rungkat and Ketut Nesa Arta defeated Andrian Raturandang and David Agung 6-3, 6-2 in the Garuda Indonesia Masters Finals on Friday to win the Elang Group. (Photo: Jurnasyanto Sukarno, JG)

Ayu, Lavinia Draw Nearer to Another Title Clash at Garuda Tennis Masters

Ayu Fani Damayanti and Lavinia Tananta cannot get away from each other, it seems.

The women’s doubles partners were in both finals during last week’s X-Pro Open, and they are each one match away from doing the same at the Garuda Indonesia Masters Finals.

Lavinia, who bested Ayu in the 2008 Garuda Masters singles final, beat Beatrice Gumulya 7-6 (4), 6-0 at the Sultan Hotel courts in Jakarta on Friday to emerge from the Merak Group with a 3-0 record. Ayu had a tougher match, struggling past Romana Tedjakusuma 6-3, 7-6 (4) to win the Cendrawasih Group at 3-0.

Lavinia faces Cendrawasih runner-up Romana in today’s semifinals, while Ayu takes on Cynthia Melita, who beat Rani Fitria 6-2, 6-4 to take second in the Merak Group.

Ayu revealed after her match that she suffered a left knee injury during training on Thursday. She is still in the process of recovering from an injured right ankle she sustained during the X-Pro Open.

“I played without any target against [Romana]. Besides my injuries, it was also because I won the first two matches, so I had secured a place in the semifinals,” Ayu said. “My family, who came from Bali to see me play, was also a part of my victory. They came to support me, which they hardly did before as they were too busy.”

Cynthia, meanwhile, downplayed her chances against Ayu.

“I’ll just try to play my game and not think much about how good Ayu is,” Cynthia said. “She’s my senior. Everyone knows that she’s better. But that will put the pressure on her, so I’ll just play my best.”

Ayu and Lavinia also reached the women’s doubles final after a 6-0, 6-3 victory over Eny Sulistyowati and Laili Rahmawati in the semifinals. They will face Beatrice and Jessy Rompies, 6-3, 6-3 winners against Cynthia and Bella Destriana, in the final.

On the men’s side, top seed Christopher Rungkat lost 6-3, 6-4 to Elbert Sie but still advanced to the semifinals. No. 3 seed Elbert won the Garuda Group and Christopher took second.

Elbert will meet Rajawali Group runner-up Ketut Nesa Arta in the last four after Nesa beat Andrian Raturandang 6-1, 4-6, 6-2 to secure his semifinal spot. Christopher, the defending champion, will face Sunu Wahyu Trijati, who beat Ryan Tanujoyo 6-4, 6-4.

Christopher then teamed up with Nesa in men’s doubles and won the Elang Group with a 6-3, 6-2 defeat of runners-up Andrian and David Agung. Christopher and Nesa will face Kasuari Group runners-up Aditya Hari Sasongko and Andery Setyawanto, who lost 6-3, 6-3 to Prima Simpatiaji and Sunu.

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