Sports
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Davis Cup Colombo proved a lucky venue for our Indian neighbours with their two matches to nil triumph over the Tournament favourites Australia in a closely fought contest. This is the second major success in as many years in Colombo for the Indians. The Doubles match between the two countries was scrapped by mutual consent. Two years ago in the under 14 Asia/Oceania world cup encounter, India defeated Australia in the final. The non-playing skipper of the Indian team Sandeep Kirthane, was delighted with his team's success. "It isn't wrong to say that Colombo hasn't been a lucky hunting ground, or rather court for us. Two years back the same Australians in the same Zonal final of the under 14 World Cup were beaten by our same squad. We won't be objecting if the International Tennis Federation (ITF) make a late change to the venue for the World Cup in September and change the venue from Barcelona in Spain to Colombo." added an optimistic skipper. He also mentioned that this win yesterday was better than the one two year's ago. "This win is special, as it is the first time that India has become the Champion team of the Asia /Oceania region, and beating Australia in the final makes it extra special. They are always a tough act to beat, but we were prepared ourselves to rise to the occasion and face the challenge" mentioned an overjoyed skipper. In the game itself 15 year old Jeevan Neduncheziyan from Chennai, put India on the road to victory by overcoming Matt Symons, 6/12, 6/4, in 108 minutes of scorching tennis, despite overcast conditions. Symons produced better resistance and held the Indian to 4-4 in the second set. But then he became a victim of his own temper. He got embroiled in an argument with a spectator cheering for India and was docked a point by the umpire for using expletives on court. The Indian, however kept his calm to his own advantage and went on to win three games in a row and take the match, 6/2, 6/4. Having lost the opening singles, Australia had to win the next match to keep their hopes alive and though Steven Goh took the first set off Rupesh Roy of Calcutta, he wilted under the nagging consistency of the Indian ranked 51st in the world. Roy eventually won 2/6, 6/4 6/4. In the play off for 3rd and 4th place, Hsin Han Lee and Yao Cheng Wang of Chinese Taipei lost to Fumiaki KITA and Kei Nishikori of Japan 7/5, 6/3 in the first set. And 6/3, 1/6, 6/1 in the second and the third set went Japan's way 7/5, 6/1 and 6/7. Sri Lanka too held its own yesterday when they beat Korea 2 matches to one to finish fifth, out of 17 nations and thus achieve their highest standing in junior tennis to date. Their previous best finish was sixth at last years' Championship. The 16-year-old National Champion, Franklyn Emmanuel, once again proved his mettle when he played an influential role in his country's success. Korea took the opening singles with Yo-sup Yoon defeating Sivendran Nishendran 6/1, 6/2, in a grueling 63- minute battle. Emmanuel then made it 1 all with an efficient win over Hwi-jin Hong, 6/4, 6/1 before partnering Nishendran to a 7/6(5), 1/6, 6/2 win over the Korean pair in the decisive doubles. For 7th and 8th placement Thailand upset 5th seeded Uzbekistan 6/0, 6,4 and then 6/2, 6/1 and finally 6/3, 5/7 and 7/5. |
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