Akeesha defends title at SLTA-YETI Hard Court Nationals

Akeesha Silva, 14, of Newstead College Negombo, successfully defended her title in the Girls Under-14 category at the SLTA-YETI Hard Court National Tennis Championship, held at the Sri Lanka Tennis Association (SLTA) courts in Colombo yesterday.

Akeesha beat Annaya Norbert of Holy Family Convent Bambalapitiya in the final, winning in straight sets 6-1, 6-0. This marks her second consecutive year as the Under-14 champion, securing back-to-back titles at the hard court event. In the Men’s Open singles, four players advanced to the semi-finals after intense quarter-final matches. Luka Knese and Apna Perera won their respective quarter-finals to qualify for the first semi-final. Methvan Wijemanne and Ashen Silva progressed to the second semi-final.

In the quarter-finals, Ashen Silva defeated Sandas Usgodaarachchi 6-4, 6-1, while Apna Perera triumphed over Dumidu Dilum 6-4, 6-2. Methvan Wijemanne won a hard-fought match against Louis Knese, 6-4, 6-7 (5), 6-3. Luka Knese overcame Ganuka Fernando with a 6-4, 6-4 win. In the Women’s Open singles, Oneli Samarawickrama had to come from behind to defeat Inuki Jayaweera. After losing the first set 0-6, she won the next two sets 6-3, 7-5 to secure the victory. Tuvini de Alwis also advanced, beating Melasa Kavindi 6-3, 6-1. Dinara de Silva won her match against Nesangi Hemakumara 6-1, 6-3. The match between Rukshika Wijesuriya and Sandithi Usgodaarachchi was still ongoing at the time of going to press.

Source:Daily News