Third seed Buwaneka Gunathilleka went through a hard fought two setter game against Crishan Dhanushka to enter the men’s open quarterfinals of the 66th Badminton National championships in progress at the Royal College sports complex Reid Avenue yesterday .The tournament is sponsored by Meadowlea and Yonex Sunrise company.
The men’s singles event which is the most competitive event of the Nationals began with all the ranked players including experienced national players in action.
Buwaneka and Sachin Dias are the two top seeds in the men’s singles. Both qualified to play the quarter finals playing with a lot of confidence while vastly experienced Karunaratne brothers Niluka, Dinuka and Diluka won their respective pre-quarter final matches yesterday.
Dias beat Nilantha Hewage in straight sets 21/8, 21/8 and Buwaneka who is favorite to win the title beat Dhanushka 22/20, 21/11.
Niluka Karunaratne defeated Mahen Samaranayake 21/13, 21/15, Diluka beat Chintaka Manimalwadu 21/9, 21/12 and bottom seeded Ranthushka Karunathilaka beat Roshan Padmakaruna 21/11, 21/16.
Peterite Viren Nettasinghe who entered the under 17 boys final was made to fight hard 21/19, 21/19 before beating Imesh de Silva. Another 17 year old shuttler Chiran Sudeera beat Venura Pelawatta 21/12, 21/20 to enter the quarter final round.
Last year’s champion Dinuka had an easy win over Hasith Chanaka 21/13, 21/14 to enter the quarterfinals. In the quarterfinals Buwaneka will meet Niluka today and this match is expected to be thrilling encounter.
Niluka the world ranked player will battle with his experience but Buwaneka the most promising player of the year with good performances at the Commonwealth Games and Asian Games is expected to give him a good challenge.
In the women’s singles second round Kavidi Ishadi won easily over veteran champion Chandrika de Silva in straight sets.
Today the boys and girls under 13, 15, 17 and 19 matches with masters events will be worked out from 9am onwards.
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