University of Moratuwa emerged champions for the 2nd successive year at the All Island Inter-University Tennis Championships held at the Moratuwa University clay courts from October 3-5.

Moratuwa beat Colombo University 3-1 in the best-of-three finals to defend this main annual inter-university tennis title as if to take precedence in local ’varsity tennis which was overwhelmingly dominated by the Colombo University over the past years. Colombo had to be satisfied with the runner-up title during the last two years.

Earlier, Moratuwa beat the University of Jayewardenepura 3-1 in the group stage of the championship to reach the semi-finals where they met Peradeniya University. Moratuwa beat Peradeniya convincingly by 3-1 in the semi.

The Inter-University tennis formally has a format of best-of-five matches where each tie between two universities includes three singles and two doubles rubbers. A team has to win three of these five rubbers to register an overall win in a tie. In all three ties of Moratuwa, they sealed win in the first four rubbers avoiding playing in a fifth after registering three wins out of the first four.

Niren Neydorff captained the Moratuwa ’varsity team and their coach for the 2nd successive year was Dinith Pathiraja.

1st Singles - T. Kishanthan (Moratuwa) beat N. Jayaratne (Colombo) 6-2, 6-0

2nd Singles - P. Haputhanthri (M) beat D. Kaluarachchi (C) 4-6, 6-0, 6-0

3rd Singles - S. Kesigan (C) beat C. Halpe (M) 3-6, 6-2, 6-0

1st Doubles - T. Kishanthan & N. Neydorff (M) beat D. Kaluarachchi & I. Liyanage (C) 6-4, 6-2

The victorious Moratuwa University tennis team: Niren Neydorff (Capt.), Prataj Haputhanthri (V. Capt.), T. Kishanthan, Nimantha Baranasuriya, Chiranthaka Halpe, Damitha Premadasa, Thilan Jayathilaka and Parinda Jayasiri.