Badminton: Hasini in contention for a double at 65th Nationals

Promising shuttler Hasini Ambalangodage put herself in contention for a fine double with an outstanding performance on the penultimate day of the 65th National Badminton Championships which continued at the SLBA Indoor Stadium in the Royal Complex, on Saturday (4).
 
Hasini continued with her excellent form in the tournament by reaching the final of the Women’s Open Singles event with an easy straight set 21-12, 22-20 win over Upuli Weerasinghe in the semi-final encounter. 

The seventh seed would now take on Thilini Hendahewa who had the better of Kavidi Ishadika also in straight sets 21-12, 21-5 in the other semi-final fixture. 

Hasini also qualified to play in the Girls’ Under-19 Singles final against Hasara Wijerathna. 

Meanwhile, Dinuka Karunaratne and Buwaneka Goonathilaka set up a final showdown in the Men’s Open Singles event after winning their respective semi-final matches. 

Goonathilaka trounced Vibavi Madushan 21/13, 21/12 while Karunaratne defeated Sachin Dias 21/13, 21/14. 

In addition, the Boys’ Under-19 Singles final would be between Ranthushka Sasindu and Rashan Mendis. 

Dilmi Dias and Jananuwani Amanda qualified to play in the Girls’ Under-17 Singles final while the Boys’ Under-17 Singles final would be between Rasindu Hendahewa and Lochana de Silva.