India enter the knock-out stage

Sumit Prakash and Rupesh Roy took India into the knock-out stage by taking an unbeatable 2-0 lead against the third-seeded Australians in the Asia-Oceania qualifying tournament for the World junior (under14) tennis tournament at, the Sri Lanka Tennis Association courts in Colombo on Thursday.

Both Sumit and Rupesh won their matches in three sets, to maintain an unbeaten record. Earlier, the fifth-seeded Indians had beaten Indonesia and Chinese Taipei in group 2.

Though, India had ensured its entry into the knock-out stage, it will have to complete the doubles matches, against Australia and Chinese Taipei, to decide the group placings.

Gupta got his team off to a good start by defeating Anthony Tuong in the hard-fought second singles match. After losing the first set 5-7, he came back gallantly with a more defensive approach to unsettle Tuong and win the next two sets 6-1, 6-1.

Rupesh Roy edged out Australia's Todd Ley in the other singles in yet another enthralling three-setter by 6-1, 1-6, 6-3, giving fifth-seed India an encouraging victory in the tie.

Rain continued to play havoc with the schedule as the doubles tie between Gupta/Roy and Stephen Fotakis/Ley was put off. It will be resumed on Friday.

The 2002 World Junior Tennis finals will take place in Prostejov, The Czech Republic during the week of August 12.

Winners of the regional qualifying competition will secure a place in the finals. The Czech Republic, as host nation, has automatically qualifed for the finals.

Earlier report:
India takes 2-0 lead