After an exciting two weeks of nationals, the junior under 18 title is nearing its completion as the 102nd Junior & Senior Nationals is in full swing at the Sri Lanka Tennis Association courts.
Taking a look at the girl’s under 18 singles matches, the round 1 games took place where 7 matches held during the day. The first was between Vonara De Alwis and Samadhi Jayasinghe in which Vonara received a walk over. Sathi Silva also received a walk over from Kaumini Nawaragedara.
Thereby both Sathi Silva and Vonara De Alwis got their quarterfinal berths secured without an opening game.
Peheni Perera played against Yasodara Koralage in which Peheni won without too much difficulty (6-1, 6-1). Janali Manamperi also won her match with ease playing against Shenali Warnasuriya (6-2, 6-2).
Nimna Fernando didn’t have a good day playing against Savini Jaysuriya losing to her 6-2, 6-1. Whilst Anya Gunawardena had a tight match against Neyara Weeramansa which Anya won in the third set (6-7, 6-0, 6-2).
The final first round game was between Oshini Herath and Senuri Alexander which ended in favour of Oshini (6-2, 6-0).
Moving on to the under 18 boys singles matches, the round 2 games of the draw took place yesterday (12th) at the playing courts. Ravindu Weerasinghe started things off playing against Senal Hemakumara, Ravindu emerged victorious winning both sets 6-1, 6-1.
The match between Vikum Jayasuriya and Mihindu Samarasinghe was a nail-biter going up to 3 sets but Vikum came out on top by the end of the game (6-7, 6-1, 6-0).
Ravindu Weerasinghe and Vikum Jayasinghe will hence play a quarter-final that will decide each of their fate in the draw.
Nadil Silva had it much easier in his match playing against Dinuwaka Lakshan beating him 6-0, 6-1 to make it to the quarters. Innthujan Selvarathnaraja didn’t face much of an opposition in his match either beating Luca Knese 6-0, 6-3. Nuwantha Dissanayake had a close call playing against Manal Algama in which Manal lost both sets 6-3,6-3.
The under 18 boy’s round 2 matches continued with Kavisha Ratnayaka playing against Praneel Jasinghe in which Kavisha won although it was a very close game up until the very end (7-6, 6-2). Vibuda Wijebandara and Avindra Perera both took honours playing against Ashen Silva and Kavinka Fernando (6-1, 6-4), (6-0, 6-2) respectively.
With defending champion Avindra Perera making it to the quarterfinals as well, an exciting contest awaits in the under 18 boys draw to decide who takes home the junior national title.
