The defending champions of the Mercantile Tennis Championship, the team from MAS Holdings, captained by former national player Sherene Wijesinghe, seemed to be already steering their way towards victory on the 30th of November -Day 4 of the tournament which commenced last Friday at the Sri Lanka Tennis Association courts.
Securing wins from three of the thirteen matches that were carried out on this day, the closest competition the team faces is from DFCC bank – champions of 2013 who will be determined to comeback.
Photo Album – Mercantile Tennis Tournament – Day 4
In the quarter finals of the Men’s Singles Division 2 category, Mewan Gajadeera of MAS displayed great skill against his opponent from HSBC, top seeded S. Sivaganeshan to win with a match score of 6-3, 6-2 and secure a place in the semi finals where he will meet his fellow team mate Sanjeev Walgampaya.
Nalin De Silva (SLINTEC), in partnership with Danuka Karunananda (T.D. Sirisena & Co.) defeated Dhanushka De Silva and Asitha Kuruppu of MAS in a quarter final of the Men’s Doubles scoring 6-2, 6-3.
In a round 2 match, the duo from Dialog, Lakmal Gunawardene and Shafraz Rafeek failed to oust partners Waruna Chandrasiri of Delmage and Neil De Rose of DFCC bank. The winners will oppose double partners from MAS in their next game.
Jeruson Fernando and Aaqil Yakoob of Amana Bank secured an easy win over Vimukthi Gunawardene and Dileepa Yapa of MAS Holdings with 6-2, 6-1 to qualify to round 2 of the Men’s doubles.
Men’s Singles Division 3 witnessed superior match wins by Shehan Ferdinands of MAS (6-1,6-1), Amila Goonewardene of Royal Palms Beach Hotel (6-2,6-3) and Rajinda Gunawardene of E.M.C. Consultants (6-1,6-0).
Samantha Gunasekera of Kaggaya Tyre Retreders gave a walkover to opponent Gazzali Ghouse of Amana Bank in the Men’s over 35 Singles Match.
The Men’s Over 45 matches which will be worked off on a round Robin draw basis had partners Niroshan Jayasundera (Livinro) and Chrysty Jayaweerasingham ( Mansel Ceylon) triumph over Kanchana Ratwatte and Kiron Shenoy Securing 6-7, 6-2, 10-8.
In the Women’s Singles, Vidyana Tharangi representing HSBC won against Thisuri Wanniaarachchi of Standard Chartered to face no.1 seeded Sherene Wijesinghe of MAS in the quarter finals. Sherene Wijesinghe won, 6-1,6-1.
Gayathri Fernando of Shore to Shore defeated Manouri Liyanage of DFCC bank 6-0, 6-0. Renuka Kurukulasuirya of Pan Asia Bank secured a place in the semi finals by defeating Nishani De Soyza of DFCC bank. She will encounter either no.2 Sujani Bogollagama or Ayendi Seneviratne.
In the Women’s Doubles, Nishani De Silva rallied with Manouri Liyanage to represent DFCC and defeated Achala Handawitharana and Keshala Rajapaksa of MAS 6-1, 6-0.
The mixed doubles matches are scheduled to commenced on day 5.
