Luka, Savini win singles titles

SSC Open Ranking Tennis

by Reemus Fernando

Luka Knese and 18-year-old Savini Jayasuriya won the men’s and women’s singles titles respectively at the SSC Open Ranking Tennis tournament in Colombo on Sunday.

The 19-year-old Knese, a German student from NICE International School, Negombo beat giant killer Vibuda Wijebandara 3-6, 6-0, 6-1 in the final to win his second consecutive men’s title within weeks. He was also the winner of the 105th Colombo Championships which was held in early February.

Much was expected from Wijebandara after the 20-year-old beat experienced number one seed Sankha Atukorale in the semi-final. But Knese fought back from a first set defeat to take the game away.

In the women’s singles, it was Jayasuriya’s second consecutive appearance in a women’s final within weeks after being knocked out in the semi-finals of the National Championship in January.

The Gateway International College player beat Janali Manamperi 6-1, 6-4 to claim her first open women’s title of the year.

Jayasuriya was eliminated by the eventual champion Anika Seneviratne in the semi-finals at the last National Championships and was beaten by the same player in the finals of last month’s Colombo Championships. Incidentally Jayasuriya reached the finals of that tournament after beating Manamperi in the semis. Anika Seneviratne did not take part in the SSC event.

In the Under-12 girls’ singles, Musaeus College player Gehansa Methnadi beat Movindi Fernando to clinch the lowest category title. Methnadi beat the Newstead Girls School player 6-4, 1-6, 10-8 in the final.

Results

Men’s singles final:

Luca Knese beat Vibuda Wijebandara 3-6, 6-0, 6-1

Women’s singles final:

Savini Jayasuriya beat Janali Manamperi 6-1, 6-4,

Under-12 girls singles final:

Gehansa Methnadi beat Movindi Fernando 6-4, 1-6, 10-8