Tennis: 101st Colombo Championships until July 27

The 101st Colombo Tennis Championships attracting close to 800 entries, including Sri Lankas' National and Davis Cup players, will battle it out at the most popular Tennis tournament in the country. 

This Super 'A' Grade tournament in the local calendar, started on July 13 and will continue till July 27, at the Sri Lanka Tennis Association (SLTA) courts. 

The Events range from Under 10 Boys and Girls to Open Men and Women Singles. 

The Veterans events for Over-35, 45, 55 and 65 are also being held, thereby giving the more experienced players the opportunity to compete in this two-week event. 

Apart from the top notch local Tennis players such as Amritha Muttiah, Avindra Perera, Hasindi Lokuge, Archana Lokuge, Alana Seneviratne, Nethmi Waduge, Innuthjan Selvaratnarajah, Dineshkanthan Thangarajah, Anika Seneviratne, Vibudha Wijeybandara and Janali Manamperi, leading Tennis players from Pakistan and Bangladesh too will vie for honours. 

Notable absentees for this year's Championships, are players from India. 

In the Junior category, a player can compete in a maximum of 3 events, of which one has to be a Doubles event. 

All Singles matches will be best of 3 tie-break sets, with advantage, except the Under-10 Singles which will be best of 17 games, while the Men's Singles, semi finals and finals will be best of 5 Sets. 

The Doubles events rules vary according to the age groups. 

The Principal Sponsor is Vision Care, supported by Perera and Sons. 

The official ball for the Championships is Dunlop. 

Managing Director- Vision Care, Janaka Fonseka said, "We are very happy to be involved with this prestigious tournament which has the development of Tennis at the forefront of its objectives. These objectives are in line with our corporate objectives and, as such, we want to be part of this wonderful event." 

SLTA President, Asoka Abeywardena said, "I am very grateful to Vision Care for coming forward as the Principal Sponsor of this event. With their sponsorship and the sponsorships of Perera & Sons and Ralhum Trading, I am confident we will have a very successful Championship".