2010 March, Colombo the remarkable Davis Cup Asia Oceania Group 2 tie between Sri Lanka was New Zealand was held at the Sri Lanka Tennis Association tennis courts (Clay), Green Path last Friday 5th to Sunday 7th Match 2010.
Sri Lanka became to Group 2 from Group 3 in 2009, where Sri Lanka defeated Pacific Oceania at the Asia Oceania Group 3 Davis Cup tie in Syria. The team that achieved this promotion was Harshana Godamanne , Rajeev Rajapakse, Sanka Atukorale and Guyanga Weerasekera along with Non Playing Captain and Coach Aasiri Iddamalgoda.
This year 2010, Sri Lanka contingent comprised with Harshana , Rajeev, Sanka and T Dineshkanthan , Aasiri as Non playing Captain along with Coach George Paldhano. The opponent New Zealand team comprised four players and a physio led by Marcel Vos (Captain), Mikal Statham, Danieal King Turner, Jose Statham, Marcus Daniel and Andrew Schmdt (Physio).
A Media Brief was held on 02nd March at the Cinnamon Lakeside, where members of both team were present. The guest of honour at this event was Percy Ernst, who played to Sri Lanka in the first ever Davis Cup tie in May 1953 against the Netherlands in European Zone and his last appearance for Sri Lanka was in a Davis Cup match was an Eastern Zone semi-final tie in 1956.
Sheetal Iyer from India, Asia’s first ever International Tennis Federation women’s Gold Badge was the Referee of this tie was addressed the gathering while Patrick Pech Country Manager, Coca Cola and Husein Sadique, Deputy Gen.Manager, Hameedias the official clothing sponsor of the SL team announced their Sponsorship for this event. The official Global sponsor of the Davis Cup is BNP Paribas, one of the largest banking groups in Europe. The other key sponsors were NH Hotels, Madrid ………..
The Draw was held on 4th March at Cinnamon Lakeside at the presence of Mr. Hemasiri Fernando the President National Olympic Committee. Mr. Maxwell de Silva, President Sri Lanka Tennis Association, Irshard Othman, Tournament Director for the Tie and Sheetal Iyer, Referee and the both teams were participated to this occasion.
First day of this tie declared open on 5th March by the Secretary of the Ministry of Sports and Public Recreation, S Liyanagama, with a fair crowed gathered to witness the first two Singles against Harshana Godamanne Vs Jose Statham and Rajeev Rajapakse Vs Daial King Turner. New Zealand took firm control of this two encounters and Sri Lanka lost first two singles against New Zealand.
First match against Jose was a five setter match began at 10.30 a.m. went on past 2.00 p.m. and Jose defeated Harshana on this match 4/6,6/3, 6/4, 3/6, and 4/6. The second match against Daniel was placed to the score board 6/2, 3/6, 6/1,6/2 against Rajeev. Daniel was the top player who ranked 227 in the world ranked.
The second day Doubles match SL pair Harshana and Rajeev against Daniel and Marcus played on 6th Saturday at the SLTA courts. Victories Sri Lankan Doubles pair Harshana and Rajeev showed an eye-catching performance throughout this match and won the doubles match 7/6(5), 6/4, 6/3.
Reversed Singles of this tie the third day 1st single match between Sri Lankan top player Harshana and Daniel King Turner currently world ranked 227 started 10.00 a.m. on Sunday with the large number of spectators end up five hour long five set match. Daniel won the first two sets and Harshana won the third and fourth sets to level the match and was leading 2 – 0. Harhana declared as the winner at 4/6, 4/6, 7/5, 7/6(4), 2/0 after a four hours and 55 minutes match. Daniel Turner suffered severe cramps on his left thigh and hamstring areas and was unable to move during the match.
The last single match between Rajeev and Jose end up three setters 6/1, 6/0, 7/5 to Jose Statham.
In this Davis Cup tie, Sri Lanka’s sports fans got the rare opportunity to witness good tennis in Sri Lanka played with strong New Zealand, specially the match between Harshana and Daniel Turner. These matches create a good interest among the upcoming young tennis players who wish to take tennis in a big way.
The 2010 Davis Cup Asia Oceania by BNP Paribas Group II tie consists eight teams divided into two groups. In the first group consists Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia and Pacific Oceania and the other group consists New Zealand, Sri Lanka, Hongkong and Pakistan. The next match against Hong Kong Vs Sri Lanka will be held on 9th to 11th July 2010 at Sri Lanka Tennis Association Courts.
We are the leading sports news provider sport.lk wishes all the very best to Sri Lanka Team in future battle against Hong Kong.
