Five Sri Lankans taste success

Gehansa Methnadhi

Saha Kapilasena

By M. Shamil Amit

Five Sri Lankan players, three in the boys’ category and two girls, tasted success on day one in the first round matches of the ITF Junior Circuit J30 Week One tennis championship played at the SLTA tennis courts in Greenpath, Colombo to qualify for the second round.

In the girls’ category Gehansa Methnadi and Yuhansa Peiris won their matches by two sets to nil against Naria Markevich of Australia and Ji Yeon Park of Korea.

In the boys’ category Saha Kapilasena and Mayooran Kubheran won their matches comfortably by two sets to nil against Paul Jason Sutisna of Indonesia and Marc Joe Sutisha of Australia while Ganuka Fernando underwent some anxious moments before brushing off the challenge of Trirumrugan Vishwanathan of India to gain a win by two sets to one.

The six day tournament scheduled to end on February 1 is being contested by players from 11 countries namely Australia, Indonesia, USA, Taipei, India, China, Uzbekistan, South Korea, Japan, Philippines and host Sri Lanka.

First Round Results:

Girls - Gehansa Methnadhi (Sri Lanka) beat Naria Markevich (Australia) 2-0 (6/1, 6/3), Yuhansa Peiris (Sri Lanka) beat Ji Yeon Park (Korea) 2-0 (6/3, 6/2).

Boys - Saha Kapilasena (Sri Lanka) beat Paul Jason Sutisna (Indonesia) 2-0 (6/0, 6/1). Mayooran Kubheran (Sri Lanka) beat Marc Joe Sutisha (Australia) 2-0 (7/5, 7/5). Ganuka Fernando (Sri Lanka) beat Trirumrugan Vishwanathan (India) 2-1 (6/0, 2/6, 6/3)