Asia/Oceania Group IV Davis Cup: Seven Nations in Fray for Promotion

By M. Shamil Amit

All arrangements have been finalised to conduct the Asia/Oceania Group IV Davis Cup, scheduled to be played over four days from July 22 at the Sri Lanka Tennis Association (SLTA) tennis courts in Greenpath, Colombo.

The tournament, held under the guidance of World Tennis, will see seven nations—namely Iraq, Northern Mariana Islands, Qatar, Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kuwait, and host country Sri Lanka—battling it out for the two promotions to Group III.

Sri Lanka will be represented by four players: Apna Perera, Thehan Wijemanne, Ganuka Fernando, and Saha Kapilasena. The foursome is being guided by coach Sankha Athulorala, with Lakshan Wijeratne serving as the Physio-cum-Masseur and Rukmal Cooray as the manager of the squad.

The seven teams will be divided into two groups, with three in one and four in the other. The winners of the two groups will be promoted, while the two teams ending as the third-best teams will contest in a demotion play-off match. The team which finishes fourth in the group of four will automatically be demoted.

The opening ceremony of the tournament is scheduled to be held on July 22 at 9.30 a.m. at the center court.