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| Sunday, 18 July 2004 |
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Emmanuel clinches two doubles titles in France by Lal Gunesekera Sri Lanka's 16-year-old Franklyn Emmanuel had a highly successful six-week five tournament tour of Europe conducted by the International Tennis Federation (ITF) when he won two doubles titles in France, from three events. Emmanuel, who is in the country's Davis Cup team, won the boys under-16 doubles in La Baule with India's Jeevan beating Ramentol and his Spanish partner 6-2, 7-6 after overcoming opposition from Columbia and France in the earlier rounds. Then in Paris, the Indo-Lanka pair overcame South Americans Lopez and Terrera from Paraguay and Argentina respectively to win the boys under-16 doubles in straight sets (6-2, 6-4). But in Le Pontet, Emmanuel and Jeevan lost a thrilling three set final 6-3, 4-6, 6-7 to Massa and Lopez from Argentina and Paraguay after defeating opposition from Tunisia, China and Columbia. Emmanuel was not very successful in the singles events in France, though entering the quarter-finals in Paris where he beat Redier of France 6-3, 6-2 in the second round, Argentina's Massao 1-6, 5-0 (w/o) before succumbing to France's Botti (5-7, 0-6). He earlier competed in two events in Italy where he entered the pre-quarter finals of the singles in both and won a semi-final berth in the doubles in Milan, losing to Belarus-Italy combination of Karatchenia and Fabiano 4-6, 6-3, 3-6. In the singles in Bologna, Emmanuel won over Marce Barlic of Yugoslavia 6-1, 6-4 in the first-round and in the next over Michael Sekula of Poland 6-3, 6-2. However, in the pre-quarters he lost to Yannick Thomet 5-7, 6-4, 3-6. Even in Milan, Emmanuel could not get past the pre-quarters after beating Riva Federico of Italy (6-4, 6-4) and Poland's Matuueuz Szmigel 7-5, 6-1 only to lose to Karatchenia of Belarus (4-6, 4-6). Bertie Silva wins double Bertie Silva won a double at the Dutch Open Wheelchair Tennis Championships at the Hague sponsored by the ITF, and in preparation for the Para Olympics to be staged in Athens, Greece in September, together with K. D. Manatunga. The two soldiers produced outstanding performances in the 'B' Division. Silva scored three straight sets wins to take the singles title defeating Willem Von Den Henrick 6-4, 6-2 in the final. In the quarters, he beat George Lefeding 6-0, 6-0 and in the semi-finals beat Nick Taylor (6-3, 6-2. He also won the 'B' Division doubles partnering Manatunga. Both Silva and Manatunga have fared exceptionally well in Wheelchair Tennis. Both had a string of achievements during a three-week tour of New Zealand and Australia in January where they won the 'B' Division doubles titled at the New Zealand, Melbourne and Sydney Opens. Manatunga won the 'C' Division title in New Zealand and gained promotion to the 'B' Division for the Australian leg when he won the singles in both Melbourne and Sydney. Both are at present competing in the Belgium Open which concludes today. (Sunday). |
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