Gamini beats Raja to bag SSC Open title

Anuradha Abeysekera

In an all Sri Lankan final, second seed D M Gamini displayed some superb skills to beat fancied top seed Upali Rajakaruna 6/4, 7/6(3) in a close contest and walk away with the main draw men’s singles title at the SSC Open Wheelchair Tennis Championship concluded at the SSC clay courts, yesterday.

Gamini performed this remarkable achievement beating Sri Lanka’s top ranker who is positioned at 69 in world rankings. It has been an exciting final with both players fighting with a never say die attitude playing all their trumps to overcome each other.

Raja won the Sri Lankan Open title last week and maintained his winning streak till the SSC Open final. Gamini comfortably beat his Australian opponent Henry De Cure (6/1, 6/0) in yesterday’s semi-final while Raja booked his final berth by beating D.S.R. Dharmasena (6/2, 6/2). Meanwhile Raja and Gamini clinched the main draw doubles title beating Astralian duo Henry De Cure and Keegan Oh Chee (7/5, 6/1). They comfortably overcame K.M.S.P Perera and R.L.S. Ranaweera (6/4, 6/0) in the semi-final while Australian pair qualified for the final beatng N.R.L. Jayasundara and W.K.G.Nadeeka (6/4, 6/2).

Main draw singles consolation final was won by W.P.J. Wijesiri defeating K.A. Dharmakeerthi (7/5, 6/2). The second draw singles tittle went to W.H.S. Pushpakumara who beat K.G.M Pradeepkumara (6/1,6/2) while L.D.S.Liyanage and K.G.M. Pradeepkumara won the second draw doubles final beating A.M.D. Jayaratne and K.M. Karunaratne (6/4, 7/5).