CAMBODIA: (ePRESS) – Sri Lanka continued their impressive winning streak in the Davis Cup with a sensational 2-0 victory against Kuwait in the promotional playoff tie of the Davis Cup Asia/Oceania Group IV, held at the Morodok Techo National Sports Complex in Cambodia, saw Sri Lanka earn a promotion to Group III for the next year.
Thehan Wijemanne’s commanding performance
In the opening singles match, Thehan Wijemanne faced Bader Alabdullah. Both players displayed aggressive tennis right from the start, holding their serves firmly. Thehan presented his powerful forehand, a key weapon in winning several points. The match remained evenly contested until Thehan managed to break Alabdullah’s serve at 4-3, moving up to 5-3. Capitalizing on his first serve and solid ground strokes, Thehan clinched the first set 6-3.
The confidence from winning the first set fueled Thehan’s performance in the second set. He quickly established a commanding 5-1 lead, breaking his opponent’s serve twice while holding his own. Despite a brief comeback attempt by Alabdullah, who reduced the lead to 5-4, Thehan remained composed. He delivered a brilliant service game, unleashing powerful serves and strong forehands to win the second set 6-4, securing the match in straight sets.
Apna Perera’s resilient comeback
In the second singles match, Apna Perera took on Abdulhamid Mubarak. The match began with both players playing aggressive and solid tennis. Abdulhamid dominated the first set, winning it 6-1, making it seem like he would run away with the match. However, Perera was not ready to surrender. He matched Abdulhamid shot for shot in the second set, building a commanding 4-1 lead. Despite Abdulhamid’s comeback to level the score at 4-4, Perera’s persistence paid off.
The second set extended to a tense 6-6 tie-breaker. Perera played aggressive tennis with solid backhand winners, taking the set 7-6. After a ten-minute break due to the heat, Perera returned with renewed energy. He dominated the crucial third set, racing to a 5-1 lead and finishing the match with a 6-1 victory. This win sealed the tie for Sri Lanka, giving them a 2-0 victory over Kuwait.
Guidance of playing captain Harshana Godamanne
Both Thehan Wijemanne and Apna Perera benefited from the presence of Harshana Godamanne, the playing captain. His advice and guidance were instrumental in helping the young players achieve their solid wins in the playoff tie. Godamanne’s experience and strategic insights bolstered the team’s confidence and performance.
Sri Lanka’s Journey in the Davis Cup
During the week, the Sri Lanka Davis Cup team achieved significant victories. They beat Kyrgyzstan 2-1 and the UAE 3-0, although they faced a close defeat to Qatar, losing 2-1 in the group stages. Despite this setback, their overall performance was strong enough to secure a promotion.
Future prospects
With their promotion to Group III, Sri Lanka and Cambodia will compete at a higher level next year. Meanwhile, Qatar, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, and Iraq will remain in Group IV, and Myanmar and the UAE face relegation to Group V.
Sri Lanka’s Davis Cup team has shown impressive capabilities and resolve. Their recent successes set the stage for an exciting future in international tennis, as they continue to strive for excellence and further victories.
