The all -important doubles rubber between Sri Lanka and the Philippines concluded today at the SLTA.
The Sri Lankan contingent was represented by Harshana Godamanna and doubles specialist Rajeev Rajapakse where as the Philippines was represented by Ruben Gonzales and Australian Open Doubles Quarterfinalist Treat Huey. The Lankans were defeated 6/1, 6/0 and 6/1 in a one sided affair.
The Lankan duo suffered their first setback when the serve of Harshana Godamanna was broken in the opening game of the match. After which, the Philippines managed to get a strong hold of the set through some scintillating play by their ace doubles combination. Both Gonzales and Huey used their powerful services to great effect in order to dominate the Sri Lankan combination and race towards clinching the first set with a score line of six games to one.
The hopes of the Sri Lankan team and their fans were shattered as the swashbuckling Philippine duo marauded their way past the home team with the greatest of ease in the second set. Both players fired down aces at will past the rackets of the bewildered Harshana Godamanna and Rajeev Rajapakse who had no answer to the skill and the superiority of their opponents. Both Harshana’s and Rajeev’s serves were broken with ease and the visiting team capitalized on the double break to win the second set 6/0.
The third set was no different from the first two sets, as the experienced pairing of Gonzales and Huey continued to set the court on fire with their flamboyant all round play that entertained the sorrowful Sri Lankan supporters who appreciated the quality of tennis displayed on court. The Sri Lankans won their only game in the third set through some good serving by Rajapakse, however it was of no avail as the Philippines won the third and final set 6/1.
FINAL RESULT: Treat Huey and Ruben Gonzales (Philippines) defeated Harshana Godamanna and Rajeev Rajapakse (Sri Lanka) – 6/1,6/0,6/1
The final day of play is scheduled to take place on the 2nd of February (Sunday). The two reverse singles encounters played on that day will complete the Davis Cup tie between Sri Lanka and the Philippines and decide who moves forward with their dream of qualifying to the group one stage intact.
