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| Monday, 26 April 2004 |
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Sri Lanka drawn in Group 3 by Dinesh Weerawansa Seventh seeded Sri Lanka will meet fifth seeded Uzbekistan, unseeded Pakistan and Singapore in their first round ties of the Junior Davis Cup Asia Ocenia tournament which starts at the National Tennis Centre courts in Colombo today. Sri Lanka was drawn in to group three for the round-robin first round league stage after the official draw which took place at Trans Asia Hotel last night. The Junior Davis Cup by PNB Paribas is hosted by the Sri Lanka Tennis Association, under the direction of its President Suresh Subramaniam, on behalf of the International Tennis Federation. Agrekko is sponsor of Sri Lanka team. The organisers of the tournament were compelled last night to make changes to the playing format following the eleventh-hour withdrawal of China. The withdrawal and the resultant 17-team format brought mixed fortunes the hosts Sri Lanka. The good news is that Sri Lanka was accorded seventh seed status, one above prior to China's pull out. But the disadvantage is that the Lankans have to play in a Group containing four countries, one more than scheduled under an 18-team format. But luck brought Sri Lanka a hopeful draw last night. Sri Lanka was placed in the four-team Group 3, headed by fifth seed Uzbekistan, and includes unseeded Pakistan and Singapore. "We are happy with the draw and think we can acquit ourselves well. Our chances of qualifying for the quarterfinals will depend on how we fare against fifth seed Uzbekistan. Fortunately our match against the Uzbeks is our last Group match - _ and if we can get the better of the unseeded Pakistan and Singapore teams, then our confidence will be on a high,'' said Non Play captain Arjan Perera. ''Playing in home conditions obviously is going to help us.'' The ITF decided to place the 17 countries in five groups - two groups with three countries each and three groups of four countries each. The top five seeds Australia, India, Indonesia, Japan and Uzbekistan will head the five Groups. The five groups will initially play a round robin tournament with the leaders of each group plus the three best second teams will advance to the quarterfinals of a knockout round, which will climax with the final on May 2. SLTA officials were unaware of the reasons behind China's late pull out. The ITF, however, does not take a sympathetic view on withdrawals, and China faces a likely one-year ban from Davis Cup competition plus a hefty fine. The opening ceremony will take place at the SLTA, Greenpath this morning. |
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