Pakistan’s Heera Ashiq took away another tennis open title in Sri Lankan soil when he defeated one of Sri Lanka’s top seeds Sanka Atukorale 7-6 (10),6-7 (5), 6-3 after a close final encounter that lasted for over three hours.
The finals of the Negombo B grade tournament were shifted to the Sri Lanka Tennis Association clay courts due to other commitments were worked off on Thursday. Defending national title holder Heera Ashiq had a brilliant start right from his serve escalating three games up but Atukorale fought back strongly in the first set to finally finish at 7-6 to move onto break points. With no winner seen in the first break point set, the first set escalated to the second break points where Ashiq finally saw the set going under his name.
Sanka Athukorale sought vengeance for the first set in the next as he went on to win it 7-6 on break points. With both players securing themselves a set a piece, the third set was the decisive one which decided the contender of the title. To Atukorale’s dismay, Ashiq found himself cruising to an easy 6-3 win to take another open title win under his name.
Final Result: Heera Ashiq defeated Sanka Atukorale 7-6 (10),6-7 (5), 6-3
It was an exciting final to watch as the determination of the Davis cup team member Atukorale was evident as he went down giving a tough fight for the experienced subcontinent player. Heera Ashiq will be elevated with this win and will look to continue his concurrent form to the upcoming National championships.
