Li Nang Sri Lanka Challenge Badminton - Day Three Buwaneka, Viren advance to pre-quarters

Sri Lankan shuttlers Buwaneka Goonatilleka and Viren Nettasinghe progressed to the pre-quarter finals of the men’s singles in the Li Nang Sri Lanka Challenge International Badminton Tournament played at Dadalla Sports Stadium in Galle yesterday.Buwaneka defeated Indian shuttler R. Ravi in two tough sets 21-16, 21-18. Despite a close game, Buwaneka managed to edge past Ravi during the second set, where both were tied at 15 each. However Buwaneka’s skillful shots allowed him to score points more comfortably, ultimately winning the set 21-18 and advancing to the pre-quarters.

Viren Nettasinghe currently world-ranked 74th, beat Indian shuttler Abhishek Kanapala in two straight sets 21-9, 21-13.Today marks the fourth day of the tournament. Buwaneka Goonatilleka will face the winner of the match between Zong Han Lee (Singapore) and Siddharth Prathap Singh (India), while Viren Nettasinghe will compete against Indian shuttler Satis Kumar.

Other highlights from the tournament includes Rasindu Hendahewa’s loss to Indian Sankar Muthusamy, the bottom seed player, who won in two sets 21-15,21-12 to beat Hendahewa in their second-round game. Buwaneka Goonatilleka partnered with Viren Nettasinghe to defeat Sri Lankan Dumindu Abeywickrama and Nepalian Prince Dahal in a thrilling three-setter game 15-21,21-15,21-16 in the men’s doubles second-round game. Meanwhile, Hasini Ambalangodage and Hasara Wijeratne emerged victorious over Dilini Ambalangodage and Ranumi Manage with a score of 21-15,21-8 in their women’s doubles second-round game.

Anurangi Madakorala and Suhansi Vidanage lost Thailand pair Pichamon Phatcharaphisuts and Nannapas Sukklad 9-21,7-21 in their women’s doubles game. In the mixed doubles, Sri Lankan pair Maduka Dulanjana and Butmi Galagamage fought hard in a three-setter game against an Indian pair but lost 12-21,21-19, 23-25. Siyath Senaratne and Rashmi Mudalige were defeated by Thailand pair Phuwanat Horbanluekit and Chasinee Korepap with a score of 10-21,7-21 in the mixed doubles pre-quarterfinal game.

The Sri Lankan women’s double pair of Buthmi Galagamage and Nadeesha Gayanthi won a three-setter game against Bangladesh pair Urmi Akter and Nasima Khatun 21-16,12-21,24-22. The Thailand pair Thanyarhep Sanitpong and Nutthapong Viriyakit beat Sri Lankan pair Oshamika Karunaratne and Thulith Palliyaguru 21-16,21-15, while Sri Lanka’s number one player Ranithma Liyanage was scheduled to play Indian shuttler Aisyah Sativa in their women’s pre-quarterfinal game yesterday evening.

( Source : Daily News)