Sri Lanka finish 12th at World Junior C'ship

Dinesh Weerawansa

TENNIS: Sri Lanka registered wins over Iran and Pacific Ocenia to finish 12th at the World Junior Championship Asia Ocenia round worked off in Indonesia.

Despite being eliminated from the play-off for the top positions, the Lankan juniors performed reasonably well to secure the 12th place with two good wins.

Sri Lanka competed in the top group with hosts Indonesia, India and Pacific Oceania. Indonesia and India proved too tough for the Sri Lankans and were beaten three matches to nil, without managing to win even a set. But they fared better in their tie against Pacific Oceania to win 2-1.

Indika Wettasinghe won his singles in straight sets, but Shehan Gomesz conceded his match in a closely fought three-setter. But Wettasinghe and Arvind Fernando won the crucial doubles in straight sets to clinch victory for Sri Lanka.

Sri Lanka finished third in the top half after the qualifying round and advanced to the play offs for the 9th-12th places along with Uzbekistan, Malaysia and Iran. Sri Lanka lost to Uzbekistan, 0/2 and Malaysia 1 / 2 and beat Iran 3/0.

Sri Lanka's non-playing captain Jayendra Wijeyesekera said they are happy with the form own by Sri Lankan juniors. "The overall performance where the team secured 12th place, compared to the last place in the previous year, is extremely encouraging," he said.

Results:

Sri Lanka lost to Indonesia 0-3: Indika Wettasinghe lost to Issadam KhusmI 4-6, 1-6, Shehan Gomesz lost to Gusti Kusuma 0-6, 0-6, Indika Wettasinghe lost to Gusti Kusuma 4-6, 3-6.

India beat Sri Lanka 3-0: Indika Wettasinghe lost to Yuki Bhambri 0-6, 2-6, Shehan Gomesz lost to Jugal Marfatia 1-6, 0-6, Arvind Fernando lost to Yuki Bhambri 1-6, 3-6.

Sri Lanka beat Pacific Oceania 2-1: Indika Wettasinghe beat William O'Connel 6/3, 6/4, Shehan Gomesz lost to Prince Matautia 1-6, 6-3, 1-6, Indika Wettasinghe beat Prince Matautia 6/2, 6/3. 9-12 place play offs:

Iran beat Sri Lanka 3-0: Indika Wettasinghe lost to Kiarash Souri 2-6, 2-6, Shehan Gomesz lost to Sina Adabe 2-6, 1-6, Arvind Fernando lost to Morteza Moazam 2-6, 1-6.

Sri Lanka lost to Uzbekistan 0-2: Indika Wettasinghe lost to Sanjar Fayzier 4-6, 6-7, (5/7), Shehan Gomesz lost to Jackongir Jalolov 4-6, 1-6.

Sri Lanka lost to Malaysia 1-2: Indika wettasinghe lost to Marcus Chee 3-6, 3-6, Arvind Fernando beat Asri Merzuki 6/3-7/6(7-1), Shehan Gomesz lost to Eriaz Heshaam 3-6, 6-3, 1-6.