by Reemus Fernando
Southern Stars were given a rousing start to Li Ning – Lanka Shuttle Challenge 2020 by Sachin Dias and Hasini Ambalangoda as they secured two wins for their team to record 6-1 in the tie against Northern Knights captained by Olympic hopeful Niluka Karunaratne on the opening day of the tourney in Colombo.
Sachin and Hasini won their men’s and women’s singles encounters respectively before combining to beat Karunaratne and Thilini Hendahewa 2-0 in the mixed doubles. Fancied Karunaratne and Hendahewa were beaten 21-9 in the first set and later fought hard in the second set but were beaten 21-19.