Lankan juniors performed well in the ongoing ATF 14 & Under Colombo Week-1 tennis tournament at the Sri Lanka Tennis Association hard courts yesterday.
Eighth seed Anitra Dharmaratne created a major upset when she defeated top seed Saneshi Willoraarachchi 6/4, 6/3 in the girls’ singles quarters. Anitra will play the semi-finals against Hasali Gajaba.
Hasali edged out Dewmini Warnasuriya in easy straight sets 6/1, 6/2 in her quarter-final match. In another girls’ singles quarter-final, unseeded Melasha Kotikawathtegedara tamed seventh seed Inuki Jayaweera 6/3, 6/4. She will take on second seed Hong Kong opponent Sheanna Sarah in the semis. Sheanna beat Nelani Jayasuriya in the quarters.
Jaitra de Saram convincingly beat his Indian opponent Hrishikesh Lyer 6/1, 6/2 in the boys’ singles quarter-finals and will meet his fellow teammate Lisal Goonetilleke in the semi-finals.
Lisal entered the semis when he beat Anujaya Abeywickrema 7/6(9), 6/3 in a strongly contested quarter-final.
The Asian Tennis Federation sanctioned tournament is hosted by the Sri Lanka Tennis Association and will continue until October 13 at the SLTA hard courts.
Junior players from India, Japan, Hong Kong China, Germany, Saudi Arabia and host Sri Lanka will battle in four events namely, boys’ singles, boys’ doubles, girls’ singles and girls’ doubles.
The tournament has great importance, especially for local players as they will gain much needed international exposure at a young age.
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