The recent fine performances by two Lankan teenagers Franklin Emmanuel and N. S. Nishendran at the South Asian Tennis Championships have put Sri Lanka on the international map in the boys’ Under 14 category and also explains the development of junior tennis in the country during the past two years.

The best under 14 players from around 15 countries in South and Central Asia were seen in action and the duo of Franklin and Nishendran finished on top in the doubles, while in the singles, Franklin finished third and Nishendran fifth.

1st ITF S. Asian tourney

Emmanuel and Nishendran were seeded No. 1 and No. 2 respectively.

Emmanuel reached the semis by beating I. Lidzar (Kazakastan), Nyi Nyi Tun (Myanmar) and Sanam Singh (India), but lost in the semis to Umarov Jamol (Uzbeckistan). In the decider for 3rd/4th place Emmanuel lost to Jeevan Nedunchezian (India) and was finally placed fourth in the singles.

Nishendran reached the quarters by beating G. Maharfan (Nepal) and Yousuf Aman (Bangladesh) but lost to Jeevan Nedunchezian (India) who was ultimately placed 3rd. In the 5th to 8th play off Nishendran beat Acmal Sulaimanov (Tajikistan), but lost to Alexander Lidzar (Kazakastan) to be placed 6th in the singles.

In the doubles Emmanuel and Nishendran the top seeds lived up to expectations by disposing of T. Tenzin/S. Dilson (Bhutan), A. Yousuf (Bangladesh) and U. Rifal (Nepal) and S. Alexander/ A. Lidzar (Kazakastan) and in the finals beat S. Singh/S. Gupta (India).

2nd ITF S. Asian tourney

Emmanuel took 3rd spot by beating U. Jamol (Uzbeckistan). Nishendran was placed 5th by beating S. Bykov (Kazakastan). The duo was once again the top-seeds in the doubles and clinched the doubles title by beating T. Rao/A. Jain (India) in the finals.