New Zealand edge out Sri Lanka - 3/2

Richard Dwight

Sri Lanka conceding the first and second singles to New Zealand on Friday, in a best of five matches tie at the National Tennis Centre Courts - stormed into contention to liven hopes on the following day when the gallant doubles combination of Sri Lanka, Harshana Godamanna and Rajeev Rajapakse outplayed the Kiwi pair of Mikal Statham and Marcus Daniell to win 7/6, 6/3, 6/4 and the overall lead to be New Zealand two and Sri Lanka 1 (one).

With two decisive reverse singles left to be played the prospects of Sri Lanka being in line to win the tie loomed in the minds of the many who gathered yesterday at the NTC.

The first reverse singles in the morning was between Sri Lanka’s Harshana Godamanna and NZ’s Daniel King - Turner and the second reverse singles for the afternoon was between Sri Lanka’s Rajeev Rajapakse and NZ’s Jose Statham.

In the opening reverse singles between Godamanna and Daniel King-Turner, both were good as each other to be competent enough to hold their own - but Godamanna was most versatile on the court and relied on line winners, which was pleasing to watch, while Turner scored on his serves and the rallies to take the first set 6/4.

The second set was a repeat of the first set for Turner to win again at 6/4.

The third and fourth sets saw a much rejuvenated Godamanna, who with his deft placements and purposeful passing shots and, long drawn out rallies giving Turner a very torrid time for Godamanna to win both sets at 7/5 and 7/6.

Both Turner and Godamanna had won two matches and in the final fifth setter, when Godamanna was leading 3-0 in the first game, Turner was taken ill and final set was conceded to Godamanna to win three sets to two.

The overall score before the final reverse singles between Jose Statham and Rajeev Rajapakse was two matches each. The last reverse single between Statham and Rajapakse was one sided with Statham winning the first two sets with ease, whilst the third was stretched out a bit.

The end result was that New Zealand won the tie 3-2.

Results:

Harshana Godamanna (SL) bt Daniel King-Turner (NZ) 4/6, 4/6, 7/5, 7/6 (3-0) rtd.

Jose Statham (NZ) bt Rajeev Rajapakse (SL) 6/1, 6/0, 7/5.