Neyara takes ITF U-14 Singles crown
View(s):![ITF-Tennis](http://www.sundaytimes.lk/170115/uploads/ITF-Tennis.jpg)
Neyara kept the Lion flag flying high
Neyara Weerawansa won the Singles final in the Week 1 of the ITF Asia 14 and Under Tennis Championship concluded at the LTAT courts in Bangkok, Thailand yesterday. Neyara, a up and coming player from British School in Colombo, defeated Maria Breidy of Lebanon in straight sets, only to extend her untarnished winning streak in the competition.
Neyara, who has not lost a single set in the tournament, continued her winning streak and won her finals also in straight sets 6-3, 6-1. Leading up to the final, Neyara won her Singles quarter-finals beating Randa Alqudsi of Jordon 7-6 (1), 6-0 and the semi-final beating Prerana Koirala of Nepal 6/7 (2), 6/2.
Runner-up Maria Breidy too continued through the tournament without losing a single set until the final. Maria on her way to the final beat the top seed Abhilasha Bista of Nepal 6-4, 6-1 in the quarter-finals and Jana Khatib of Jordon 6-4, 6-4 in the semi-finals.
Sri Lanka also won the Girls Under-14 Doubles when Neyara teamed up with Angelica Kurera to beat Abhilasha Bista of Nepal and Sri Lanka’s Oshini Herath 6-3, 7/6 (3). While the girls managed to secure two championships and a runner-up position, the boys too did well in the tournament by reaching the semi-finals. Pesanjith Kannagara lost to Taym Alazmeh of Syria 3-6, 1-6 and Nelaka Disanayake was defeated by Abedallah Shelbayah of Jordon 2-6, 1-6 in their respective semi-final games.
Playing doubles, Nelaka and Chathurya Nilaweera of Sri Lanka lost to the teamed-up Singles finalists, Taym Alazmeh of Syria and Abedallah Shelbayah of Jordon. The Week two of the tournament will commence tomorrow and end on Friday at the same venue.