Sri Lanka national wheelchair champion and top-seeded world player Upali Rajakaruna overcame his first hurdle successfully in the opening tie of the Wheelchair Men’s Singles as he defeated Ha Gee Lee of Korea.
The two-time Para-Olympian who is currently in Rio De Janeiro for the 2016 edition of the Paralympics surpassed his opponent winning the game despite losing the first set. Lee of South Korea took the advantage in the first set, to win the game 6-2 but fighting back was the Lankan champion who won the second set 7-5(6) and later the third 6-1.
The Korean Ha-Gee Lee was the 35th seed in the world rankings and Upali now will face Alfie Hewett of Great Britan. If success comes in Sri Lanka’s favour in the second round, Upali will get the ticket to the third round of play increasing his chances to make it to the top eight players.
