Yasasri, Dewanji and Dr. Fahim top performers
From left: Dr. H.M. Fahim (Over-30 Men's Singles champion), Dewanji Karunarathne (Girls Over-18 Singles champion) and Yasassri Liyanage (Boys Over-18 Singles champion)
Yasassri Liyanage of Kothalawala Defense University, Dewanji Karunarathna of Peradeniya University and Dr. H.M. Fahim of Matale District Tennis Club clinched singles titles at the Matale Open Tennis Championship 2019 for men and women concluded at the Matale District Tennis Club courts.
Yasassri and Dr. Fahim pocketed a double each in the Boys Over-18 and Over-30 Men’s categories respectively as Yasassri outplayed Nirmal Senanayake of Kelaniya University6-2, 6-3 to annex the singles title. Then pairing with Nirmal, Yasassri went on to beat S. Wannigama and K.A.B. Jayathilake of Peradeniya University 6-2, 6-2 in the doubles final.
Dr. Fahim was the winner in the Over-30 Men’s Singles event. He beat Rilwan Rishad 6-3, 6-4 in the final and then partnered by M. Fayas, overcame Ravi Ramanadan and Dr. Asanka Abeyrathne, who represented Kandy Garden Club, by 6-4, 4-6, 10-7 in the Over-30 Doubles final.
Dewanji was given a tough fight by Chathurika Munasinghe of Peradeniya University, before winning 7-6 (2) in the Girls’ Over-18 Singles final. The two-day tennis championship, organised by the Matale District Tennis Club, attracted players from Kothalawela Defence University, University of Kelaniya, University of Peradeniya, Thora Tennis Academy of Matale, Garden Club Kandy and Matale District Tennis Club. Harsha Chandrasiri functioned as the tournament referee and SLTA coordinator.
Results
Over-18 Boy’s Singles
Champion: Yasassri Liyanage (KDU) (6-2, 6-3)
Runner-up: Nirmal Senanayake (UoK)
Over-18 Girls’ Singles
Champion: Dewanji Karunarathne (UoP) (7-6 [2])
Runner-up: Chathurika Munasinghe (UoP)
Over-30 Men’s Singles
Champion: Dr. H.M. Fahim (MDTC) (6-3, 6-4)
Runner-up: Rilwan Rishad (MDTC)
Over-18 Boy’s Doubles
Champions: Yasas Sri Liyanage and Nirmal Senanayake (6-2, 6-2)
Runners-up: S. Wannigama and K.A.B. Jayathilake
Over-30 Men’s Doubles
Champions: Dr. Fahim and M. Fayas (MDTC) (6-4, 4-6, 10-7)
Runners-up: Ravi Ramanadhan and Dr. Asanka Abeyrathne (Garden Club)