DINESHKANTHAN, SHARMAL CLASH IN MEN’S OPEN FINAL
Defending champion Dineshkanthan Thangarajah and Sharmal Dissanayake set up a final showdown in the Men’s Open Singles when they won their respective semi-final matches in the Sri Lanka Clay court Tennis Nationals which continued at the SLTA Courts in Green Path, Colombo yesterday.
Dineshkanthan overcame Chathurya Nilaweera 6-2, 7-5 and Sharmal had the better of Ruston Ali 6-0, 6-1. The final is scheduled for today.
In the Women’s Open Singles quarterfinals, top seed Janali Manemperi defeated Tharani Alexander and the bottom seed Anjalika Kurera defeated Senuri Alexander.
Meanwhile, the top seeds in the Women’s Open Doubles sisters Anika and Alana Seneviratne will clash against the bottom seeds and the defending champions Savini Jayasuriya and Janali Manamperi which is in fact a repeat of last year’s final.
The Boys’ Under-18 top seed Luca Knese advanced to the final
with an easy win over Ashen Silva and he will meet the winner of the clash between Apna Perera and Chathurya Nilaweera.
RESULTS (SEMI-FINALS):
Singles:
(Girls’ Under-14) – Hasali Gajaba beat Oneli Samarawickrama 6-3, 6-1. H. Hew Thalagahage beat Saajida Razick 6-3, 3-6, 10-5.
Boys’ Under-16 – Thehan Wijemanne beat Rakesh Ratnasingham 6-0, 6-2. Nelaka Dissanayake beat Shevindra Perera 6-2, 6-3.
Boys’ Under-18 – Luca Knese beat Ashen Silva 7-5, 6-0.
Men’s Open – Sharmal Dissanayake beat Ruston Ali 6-0, 6-1. Dineshkanthan Thangarajah beat Chathurya Nilaweera 6-2, 7-5.
Doubles:
Women’s Open – Anika Seneviratne/alana Seneviratne beat Oneli Perera/sethmi Sumanaweera 6-2, 6-0. Janali Manemperi/savini Jayasuriya beat Senuri Alexander/ Tharani Alexander 6-0, 6-3.