Asia/Oceania Davis Cup 2012:

Sri Lanka to meet Thailand

YASARATNE GAMAGE

Asia/Oceania Zone Group II, Davis Cup BNP Paribas 2012 will commence today at Sri Lanka Tennis Association Courts in Colombo and will continue till February 12.

Sri Lanka who were promoted from Group III after emerging as the only unbeaten team when they faced Lebanon and Malaysia in the Round Robin last year, will play against Thailand.

The tournament will be challenge for Sri Lanka as top players of Thailand will offer tough opposition. Sri Lanka team consists of current national champion Dinesh Chandrakanthan, Vimuktha de Alwis, Amresh Jayawickrama, Nishangan Nadaraja and non playing captain Rohan de Silva.

The Thailand team includes Danai Udomchoke, Kittipong Wachiramanowong, Weerapat Doakmiklee, Sanchai Ratiwatana, Paradoran Srichapan and non playing captain Tanakorn Srichapan.

[ Tie draw]

(Today) :

Round one: D.Thangarajah vs K.Wachiramanowong
Rounnd two: V. de Alwis vs N. Nadaraja

(Tomorrow):

Round three: A. Jayawickrama / D. Thangarajah vs W. Doakmariklee / S. Ratiwatana

(February 12):

Round four: D. Thangarajah vs D. Udomchoke
Round five: V. de Alwis vs K. Wachiramanowong.

Sri Lanka reached the Asia/Oceania Zone II second round on six previous occasions and holds the record for the most decisive victory in a Davis Cup tie played over five rubbers, defeating Syria in 1991 in six games. Key player behind Sri Lanka’s accession to Group II, Harshan Godamanna and the other favourite Oshada Wijemanna are unable to participate owing to personnel commitments, announced SLTA president Maxwell de Silva.