Big-made Banura Jayawardena and diminutive Nipuna Nuwan won triples at the 7th Mahaweli Reach Open Tennis Tournament.
Jayawardena was given a run for his money in the Under-17 event by Akmal Farikdeen.
However, his win in the Under-19 event was more comprehensive.
Dinuja Palihawadana, his opponent, played the final despite a shoulder injury. Jayawardena and partner Udan Hettiarachchi (who won a double) had it easy in the Under-17 final.
Yohani Herath and Saduni Arambepola, two of the more impressive players among the girls, combined well to take the under 19 title 6-3.
Tiara Beneragama, who was all power, swept aside Yohani in the Under-17 Singles event.
Nipuna Nuwan, a student of Mawathagama Central, was probably the best player on view.
He won the Under-13 and 15 events as well as the Under-15 Doubles. Nipuna, whose father is a tennis coach, had a good left-handed serve, an effective double-fisted backhand and covered the count well.
Not surprisingly, he confided that his idol was Rafael Nadal.
Banura Jayawardena was all power, and in his eagerness to hit the cover off the ball, he tended to over hit. He has potential, but his relative bulk impedes his mobility.
Trinitians Jonathan Thomas, Dinuja Palihawadana and Udan Hettiarachchi featured prominently.
This tournament drew players from places such as Colombo, Kandana, Mawathagama and Matale. This is the only one of its kind in Kandy.
An aspiring youngster from outside Colombo has only this tournament, the Janaka Bogollagama event in Kurunegala and the Bandarawela open to showcase his skills.
It is worthy of note, that some of the matches were played under lights.
All in all, the tournament was a success as the increase in numbers (from 80 to 120) shows.
Results
Boys
Under-10 Singles: Yeshan Ranatunga bt. Dimantha Mahavitanage 7-5
Under-11 Singles: Yeshan Ranatunga bt. Dinantha Mahavitanage 6-4
Under-13 Singles: Nipuna Nuwan bt. Zumri Razmi 6-0
Under-15 Singles: Nipuna Nuwan bt. Shamil Akbar 7-2
Under-17 Singles: Banura Jayawardena bt. Akmal Farikdeen 7-5
Under-19 Singles: Banura Jayawardena bt. Dinuja Palihawadana 10-4
Under-15 Doubles: Nipuna Nuwan, Uvindu Handapangoda bt. Akmal Farikdeen, Shamil Akbar 7-4
Under-17 Doubles: Udan Hettiarachchi, Banura Jayawardena bt. Shakya Jayawardena, M. Sajithran 6-1
Under-19 Doubles: Udan Hettiarachchi, Naveen Pieris bt. Dinuja Palihawadana, Jonathan Thomas 9-5
Girls
Under-11 Singles: Eshana Sureshkumar bt. Senuki Weerasekera 6-3
Under-8 Singles: Kavitha Sirimalwatte bt. Lochana Wanigasekera 10-5
Under-15 Singles: Tharushi Pelandagama bt. Charya Perera 6-0
Under-17 Singles: Tiara Beneragama bt. Yohani Herath 6-1
Under-19 Singles: Sanduni Arambepola bt. Charya Perera 6-3
Under-8 Doubles: Aila Harris, Kanuli Kiridena bt. Lochana Wanigasekera, Senuli Amerasinghe 11-9
Under-10 Doubles: Thumuli Pilapitiya, Kaveesha Sirimanne bt. Liyansi Pathiranage, Uthumi Weragoda 6-1
Under-13 Doubles: Sewmini Nimalsha, Sasiduni Wijeweera bt. Adriana Kalansuriya, Eshana Sureshkumar 6-0
Under-19 Doubles: Yohani Herath, Sanduni Arambepola bt. Kiruli Gamage, Charya Perera 6-3
The Judicial Service Commission (JSC) has interdicted Colombo Fort Magistrate Kosala Senadheera.
Mr. Ali Sabri Rahim, a Member of Parliament (MP) for Puttalam District whom an open warrant had been issued, attended a public ceremony at Al Aksha National School in Kalpitiya today (16) as the special guest of honor.
The Supreme Court today refused interim relief in an application filed by President’s Counsel Senaka Walgampaya seeking an Order from the Supreme Court compelling the President to appoint judges to fill the existing vacancies in the Court Of Appeal.
The deadline for online applications to the 2024 G.C.E. Advanced Level (A/L) Examination has been extended until July 12, the Department of Examinations said.
Gazette on new speed limit regulations to be issued within two weeks
Cabinet has approved a proposed amendment to the Constitution that a referendum would be required to extend the Presidential and Parliamentary term beyond five years.
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