Savini Jayasuriya and Luca Knese collected well-deserved championship titles of the Ladies’ and Gentlemen’s Singles Finals, at the SSC Open Tennis Tournament 2021. Both finals took place Sunday evening (28th February) amidst many greats in the sport among the crowds.
Photo Album – SSC Open Tennis Tournament 2021 | Semi Finals
After an evening of scintillating tennis, Vibuda Wijebandara and Lucas Knese booked their slots in the Men’s Singles Final. Over in the Women’s draw, first and second seeds Janali Manamperi and Savini Jayasuriya made their way to the finals after their rather easy semifinal matches.
Journey to the finals
Luca Knese vs Vibuda Wijebandara
Unseeded Vibuda Wijebandara started his journey to the final in the top half of the draw. Receiving a walk-over in the Round of 64, Wijebandara brushed off Sugath Weerawardana in lemons. Next, he faced off Kaveesha Ratnayake, the 11th seed in the tournament. Wijebandara easily won the first set 6/1 and led 4/0 in the 2nd when Ratnayake decided to call it quits.
Underdog Wijebandara was paired with 3rd seed Savit Weerasinghe in the quarterfinal and managed to claim victory with a score of 6/4, 6/2. His last hurdle to get to the final was veteran Sankha Athukorala, in the semifinals that took place on the evening of the 27th of February.
In a tightly fought three-setter, Wijebandara came out the other side victorious and booked his spot in the final, to be played that Sunday evening. Final scores read 6/4, 0/6, 6/4.
Luca Knese started the tournament as the 9th seed of the tournament and secured an easy push-through to the Round of 16. His first match against Sevin Mayadunne was easily won in 6/0, 6/0 and received a walkover in the second. Round of 16 was a close call as he won against Jaitra De Seram in a third set super tiebreaker. Scores read 6/1, 6/7(3), 10/1.
In the quarterfinal, Knese faced off against 4th seed and Junior Davis Cup member Thehan Wijemanne. Knese was able to grab the win in straights, 6/2, 6/4. Knese’s semifinal obstacle was Kiran Vairavanathan this evening which he breezed through with scores of 6/2, 6/1.
Photo Album – SSC Open Tennis Tournament 2021
Janali Manamperi vs Savini Jayasuriya
The Women’s final will be a bittersweet affair as two teammates and friends will take on each other to fight for the crown. Janali Manamperi, the top seed for the tournament will take on counterpart Savini Jayasuriya in the grand finale.
Manamperi had no real obstacle in making her way into the final this year. Arella De Zoysa, Sethmi Sumanaweera and Dinethya Dharmaratne all fell prey to Manamperi’s racket in straight easy sets.
Much like Manamperi, Savini Jayasuriya booked her spot in the final with 3 easy wins along the way. Jayasuriya defeated Nesangi Hemakumara, Dewmini Warnasuriya and third seed Tania Doloswala.
The Main Event
The Ladies’ Final kicked off proceedings this evening with Jayasuriya pouncing from the word go. Breaking serves left and right, Jayasuriya rushed to a 6/1 win of Set 1.
Manamperi fought in the second, held on tight till the scores were 5/4 in Jayasauriya’s favour and gave in the last game to grant the latter the win. Jayasuriya kept her composure throughout the play to earn a smart and calculated win and took home the Ladies’ championship for 2021.
The Gentlemen’s final followed with Vibuda Wijebandara taking the upper hand over Knese. However, Wijebandara’s serve gave him away in the second and quickly found himself crumbling under nerves. Knese was quick to capitalize and played some quick-serve and rush points to turn the tables.
After three sets, Luca Knese was crowned the Gentlemen’s Champion of this years’ SSC Open Tournament with a score of 3/6, 6/0, 6/1.
ThePapare.com had the pleasure of Live streaming both Finals on our platform. You can view the full matches on www.faceboook.com/thepapare.
Photos: SSC Open Tennis Tournament 2021 | Finals
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