Second win for Lankan women paddlers

Sanjaya Ariyaratne

Sri Lanka women's team registered their second win while men's team won their opening match easily in the ongoing World Team Table Tennis Championships 2008 which began in Guangzhou Gymnasium in China on Sunday. The tournament will be continued till March 2.

It was smooth sailing for Sri Lankan women paddlers as they chalked out an easy triumph over Montenegro, yesterday in a division three women's fixture (3-0). Captain Deepika Rodrigo won 7 the first game in straight sets over Neda Milacic (14-12, 11-8, 11-8) then it was young Ishara Madurangi who beat Gorana Zonjic also in a three setter (11-6, 11-6, 11-8). The decider went to full distance where Ruhansi Wijekoon defeated Ivana Djalovic in a gruelling five setter (20-22, 11-9, 6-11, 11-9, 11-8).

In the opening match Lankan women had the better of El Salvador in a testing duel (3-1). Deepika Rodrigo beat E.R. Estetaria (11-6, 11-5, 11-9). Ishara Madurangi lost to A.Morayle (12-14, 11-9, 7-11, 7-11,). Ruhansi Wijekon beat R. Sonia (11-8, 12-10, 11-7). Deepika Rodrigo beat A. Morayle (11-7, 6-11, 11-7, 11-9).

Sri Lankan women will take on Switzerland and Guernsey C.I. respectively today in their division three group K. The other team is the Macao team which Sri Lanka will meet on the following day.

Sri Lanka men began their campaign recording a victory over Angola in the opening match of their division four. Competing in group Q, Lankans will be up against Bahrain today and Kosovo, Yemen, Kyrgyzstan in the coming matches. K.S.T. Chalitha Ranjana, Rohan Sirisena and Yohan Deshappriya are the members of the Lankan outfit.