Sri Lanka play Oman today

Richard Dwight

TENNIS: The Davis Cup group Asia/Oceania III tie, which commences this morning with the opening ceremony at 8.00 a.m. at the National Tennis Centre (SLTA) had its draw and media briefing last evening at the Hotel Taj Samudra.

It was conducted by Suresh Menon, a representative of the International Tennis Federation and referee, Nitini Kannamwar of the ITF, in the presence of players, coaches and officials of the eight participating teams. Preceding the draw the teams were seeded thus, 1. Lebanon, 2. Vietnam, 3. Sri Lanka, 4. Saudi Arabia, 5. Singapore, 6. Malaysia, 7. UAE and 8. Oman.

This led to the teams being split into two groups ‘A’ and ‘B’ with four teams, in each, which are ‘A’ Group - Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Singapore and UAE. B Group - Vietnam, Sri Lanka, Malaysia and Oman.

The matches on the opening day today, in the Group ‘A’ witness Lebanon pitted against Singapore and Saudi Arabia taking on UAE - whilst in Group ‘B’ Vietnam will play against Malaysia and Sri Lanka will be up against Oman.

Addressing those present, Suresh Menon said that he always had confidence in the organising and administrative ability of Sri Lankans to hold events such as this and, praised the facilities provided at the hotel and at the National Tennis Centre.

Referee, Nitini Kannamwar briefed the players, captains and coaches, of all matters pertaining to this tournament.

The Lebanese team which is a strong one, has two fine players in Bassam Beidas and Patrick Churi, the captain and coach Hussein Badreddine said that from 1997 Lebanon for four years were in Group I and for five years and in Group II and now by default are in Group III.

The Sri Lanka coach Dominik Utzinger said that he was happy to be placed in Group ‘B’ because all teams in this category were very balanced. All teams he explained were equal are as good as the other, with each side being able to beat the other and even if you drop a tie you still have chance of moving to the top four (semi-finals).