Group 3 Asia/Oceania Tie - Godamanna, Rajapakse impressive

SL Davis Cup Team Elevated to Group 2:

Richard Dwight

The promotion of the Sri Lanka Davis Cup team from Group 3 to Group 2 was a long time coming, for not since 1999 had our team the privilege of moving over to Group 2, and so when our Davis Cup squad comprising.

Harshana Godamanne, Rajiv Rajapakse, Sankha Atukorala and Guyanga Weerasekera, triumphed along with Pacific Oceania at the now concluded 2009 Asia/Oceania Group 3 Davis Cup tie in Syria, to be elevated to Group 2 in 2010 - their achievement was all the more praiseworthy.

The 8 nation 2009 Davis Cup tie Group 3 held in Syria from April 13 to 19 were divided into categories A and B. In Group 'A' were Pacific Oceania, Lebanon, Tajikistan and Singapore, Group 'B' had Sri Lanka, Syria, Saudi Arabia and Iran. In Group A Pacific Oceania forged ahead winning all their 3 ties beating Lebanon, Tajikisan and Singapore. Lebanon won 2 ties and lost the third to Pacific Oceania.

Tajikistan just won the odd tie against Singapore, with Singapore loosing all their 3 ties. Pacific Oceania was most outstanding to be placed first in group 'A' with Lebanon placed second.

Sri Lanka virtually dominated Group 'B', with Godamanne and Rajapakse acquitting themselves creditably well, in stamping their class by winning all 3 ties against Syria, Saudi Arabia and Iran. Whilst Syria won 2 ties and lost the third to Sri Lanka. Saudi Arabia just won one against Iran with Iran ending losing all their 3 ties. Sri Lanka was first while Syria was placed in Group B.

The four contending teams for promotion to Group 2, were Pacific Oceania, Sri Lanka Lebanon and Syria. The outcome was both Pacific Oceania and Sri Lanka placed first and second were successful in their quest for promotion to Group 2 in the year 2010.

The Sri Lanka Davis Cup squad of Harshana Godammana, Rajeev Rajapaksa, Asanka Atukorala and Guyanga Weerasekera, with non playing captain and manager, Asiri Idamalgoda arrives this morning at 8.15 a.m. at the Bandaranaike International Airport.