The Sri Lanka Tennis Association has picked a National Pool of 14 players to undergo specialized training beginning December 19. This is in preparation for Sri Lanka’s international commitments such the Davis Cup, Fed Cup etc.

The Davis Cup in particular will be tough for Sri Lanka as they have to play the high ranking New Zealand in the first tie. The National Pool comprises of Dineshkanthan Thangarajah, Gayunga Weerasekera, Shehan Gomez, Michael Siyagune, Arthur Hewacottage Amritha Muttiah, Ashan Dep, Yasas Dewage, Thuruna Easwarage, Nishangan Nadarajah, Roshenka Fernando, Kemalie Herath, Dinushki Ranasinghe and Rukmal Cooray.

Meanwhile the Mercantile Tennis Tournament 2009 got under way yesterday at the Sri Lanka Tennis Association’s hard courts. In the Women’s Singles, Janine Rodrigo (HSBC) received a walk over from Sashi Jayaratne (NTB), Sriyani Ranatunge (DFCC) easily beat Krishanjali Gonsalkorala (DFCC) 6-4, 6-0. In the Men’s Singles Division Two Pramodh Perera (NTB) received a walk over from Sashi Jayaratne (NTB) while Damith Weerakoon (HSBC) defeated Tharindu Paranathanthri 6-2, 6-0, Prasad Jayalatharachchi (HSBC) beat Dinesh Yogaratnam (NTB) 6-2,6-3, Mario Alles (HSBC) got the better of Gavin Perera (NTB) 6-0,6-1 and Deshana Basnayake (HSBC) got a walk over from Ravi Subramaniam (ATK).