Guyanaga and Jithmie only Lankans in contention

Sanjaya ARIYARATHNE

Guyanaga Weerasekara, eighth seeded and girls top seed Jithmie Jayawickrame are the only Sri Lankan players to survive the final stages of the 25th International Tennis Federation Championships now in progress at the SSC, courts, Colombo.

Weerasekara defeated Tachi Rytoto of Japan easily in a two setter in the semi finals (6/0,6/2) to book his place in the final with seed number six Elliot Barnwell of England.

In the other semi final E. Barnwell ended the promising run of Michael Siyaguna, seeded seventh in straight sets (6/1, 6/3). The latter staged a major upset in his previous match by outclassing the top seed Chun Min Yam who is from Hong Kong.

The other Sri Lankan prospect Jithmie Jayawickrame cruised to the semi finals when she beat seed number six Yoko Nagai of Japan after a well contested encounter. After conceding the first set at 5/7 Jayawickrame put up an improved performance to take the other two sets in a row 7/5 and built a huge 6/1 lead in the decider.

Another lankan hope Nilupul Goonasekara, seeded seventh went down fighting to Shwetha Rana of neighbouring India, fourth seeded in a three setter (5/7,6/4,6/2).

Unseeded Natalla Khaniejo of India created a sensation when she posted a straight set win over seed number three Amritha Muttiah of Sri Lanka (6/4,7/5).

Other results: Boys Doubles quarter finals: Michael Siyaguna and Dineshkanthan Thangarajah beat Dihruv Gurwara and Boworn Hudson 6/0, 6/1, Guyanaga Weerasekara and Upasama Hewacottage beat Christin Lee and Ken i Low 6/3, 6/4. (girls quarter finals) Jithmie Jayawickrame and Adella Boey beat Kemali Herath nd Sherene Wijesinghe 6/1,6/2, Amritha Muttiah and Natalia Khaniejo beat Nilupul Goonasekara and Shenali Weerasekara 6/4, 6/2.