Ami Afriatni

Romana Tedjakusuma, left, and Yayuk Basuki defeated Angelique Widjaja and Lavinia Tananta 6-4,6-1 on Friday to move into the Alfamart Cup final. (Photo: Afriadi Hikmal, JG)

Experience Is the Key for Veterans Yayuk, Romana

The old saw about age and experience beating youth and skill rang true on Friday.

Veteran women’s doubles duo Yayuk Basuki and Romana Tedjakusuma upset second-seeded Angelique Widjaja and Lavinia Tananta 6-4, 6-1 to reach the Alfamart Cup final. The third-seeded veterans rallied from 4-3 down in the first set, winning nine of the next 10 games.

“Since we decided to compete in the tournament, we have had the target of winning the final, but that’s not the only reason we’re here. We want to be an example for young players, so that they will practice harder,” said 39-year-old Yayuk, who has partnered Romana since the mid-1980s.

“We are getting older, but we still possess the techniques and strategy of play. Hopefully we can be role models for them.”

Yayuk and Romana will meet No. 1 seeds Beatrice Gumulya and Jessy Rompies in today’s final. Beatrice and Jessy beat Eny Sulistyowati and Laili Rahmawati 6-4, 6-0 in the other semifinal.

Angelique praised Yayuk and Romana’s performance in the tournament.

“They still have the feeling as a pair. That’s the advantage for senior players,” she said. “You may learn the techniques and strategy, but you can never buy experience.”

In the men’s doubles, top seeds Christopher Rungkat and Ketut Nesa Arta eased into the final by beating No. 3 seeds Aditya Hari Sasongko and Andery Setyawanto 6-1, 6-3. They face fourth-seeded Andrian Raturandang and David Agung Susanto, 6-4, 7-5 winners over Faisal Aidil and Surya Wijaya, in today’s final.

Christopher and Andrian will also face off in the men’s singles semifinals. Christopher advanced 6-3, 7-5 against Sunu Wahyu Trijati, and Andrian beat Andery Setyawanto 6-4, 6-0.

Prima Simpatiaji also advanced to the semifinals, beating Nesa 7-5, 6-3, and he will now face Ryan Tanujoyo. Ryan advanced after Elbert Sie withdrew due to illness.

Women’s singles top seed Ayu Fani Damayanti took an easy 6-0, 6-1 win against Dede Tari Kusrini to reach the semifinals, where she will face Beatrice, a 4-6, 6-1, 6-1 victor over Laili Rachmawanti.

Lavinia Tananta and Jessy Rompies meet in the other semifinal. Lavinia won 6-3, 6-1 against Cynthia Melita, and Jessy beat Angelique 6-4, 6-1. Tennis

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