Waduge creates stir with victory at Queen’s open; young Anika shines

15-year-old Nethmi Waduge created a major stir when she won the Queen’s women’s open with a hard fought 7-5, 6-7, 6-4 against top seeded Roshenka Fernando to register her first A-grade open win. She also won the under 16 title against Chalani Guanatilake 6-1, 6-2.  

10-year-old national champion Anika Seneviratne beat the top three seeds on her way to registering her first win in the under 12 category in the first tournament of 2013. She defeated top seed Prabuddi Perera 6-2, 4-6, 6-4 in the final.

Seneviratne paired off with Prabuddi and defeated Senuri Alexander and Venelli Bandara 6-0, 6-0 to win the doubles. They also entered the under 14 doubles, finally losing to Umeshi Ranaweera and Pumi Wickremasinge 6-4, 6-3.

Neyara Weerawansa won the under 10 category, beating Angelica Kurera 9-3. She paired off with Alana Seneviratne and defeated Denuli Jayakoddy and Tashiya Ratnasiri 9-7 in a close match.

There were 541 entries and the open offered the highest prize money on offer in tennis in Sri Lanka.