Harshana, Rajiva lose in straight sets

by Ranjan ANANDAPPA

TENNIS: Sri Lanka duo Harshana Godamanne and Rajive Rajapakse lost to Martin Sayer and Hiu-Tung Yu of Honkong in straight sets 3/6, 2/6, 6/0 at a decisive doubles competition at the 2010 Davis Cup Asia\Oceania Zone Group two Tennis tie at the SLTA courts yesterday.

Godamanne and Rajapakse after losing the first two sets 4/6, 4/6 in a five setter threw in the towel and went down without a fight against Martin Sayer and Hiu-Tung-Yu.

The Sri Lanka pair faltered while serving, while the Hong Kong Chinese pair hit back powerfully to rattle the local pair.

The Lankans are in a must win situation in the remaining two games today, if they are to escape demotion to Group III. Sri Lanka lost to New Zealand after a close fight 3-2 early this year, Hong Kong lost to Pakistan in a tense competition, and Sri Lanka needs to win to sustain its position by winning against Hong Kong. In the men's single's event scheduled to take place at 10.00 a.m.

Harshana Godamanne will meet Martin Sayer and in the other singles event Dineshkantha Thangarajah will confront Hiu-Tung Yu.

Men's doubles. Martin Sayer and Hiu-Tung Yu (HongKong) beat Harshana Godamanne and Rajive Rajapakse (Sri Lanka) 6/4, 6/4, 6/0.