AIS rout Lyceum Nugegoda to bag Int'l Schools Tennis Title

by Angu RAJENDRAN

At finals of the International Schools Tennis championships for boys held at the SLTA courts last morning, defending champions Asian International School beat Lyceum Nugegoda - 4/1 in the three singles and two doubles that were played.

Even as the draws were exchanged the match was over. AIS captain Thaaqib Nazar had to play Ibrahim Hussain - the best player of Lyceum in the second single. Thaaqib was in fine form playing aces and winners to beat Ibrahim 9/0, leaving Ibrahim wondering 'what hit him'?. Sawin Jayasekara of AIS played Shahan Abeykoon of Lyceum in the first single. After a shaky start, Sawin settled down and delivered the goods by winning his tie - 9/3. Young Anthony De Silva - the Under 12 Colombo champion played a great game against Sajiv Dharmasena of Lyceum to beat him 9/4 in the third single. AIS having won the tie with their three singles, however finished the two doubles matches that had already started. T. Naythran and Nadir Nazar of AIS beat Adil Marikar and Vinura Jayawardene 9/3 and in the only match that Lyceum managed to win was by Yusuf Abusally and Andrew Muthiah of Lyceum when they beat Thilip Ravindran and Maduka Ranasinghe of AIS 9/3.

Thaaqib Nazar of AIS was awarded the Best Player of the tournament. All in all a great day for AIS as Asian International School wins this coveted title for the fifth time in six years.