Sri Lanka secured their spot at the 2019 ITF World Team Cup after beating hosts Malaysia in the men’s final at the Asian qualification event in Kuala Lumpur today ©SLTA

Sri Lanka secured their spot at the 2019 International Tennis Federation (ITF) World Team Cup after beating hosts Malaysia in the men's final at the Asian qualification event in Kuala Lumpur today. 

Wins in both singles rubbers at Malaysia's National Tennis Centre means the Sri Lankans will now go onto compete at this year's edition of wheelchair tennis' premier team competition, due to take place in Israel from May 13 to 18.

After 2-1 victories in both their Pool One round-robin ties, including defeating China in both singles rubbers on the first of four days of competition, Sri Lanka got off to a winning start in the final courtesy of Gamini Dissanayake.

The world number 69 avenged his recent three-set loss to Abu Samah Borhan at the Negombo Open in Sri Lanka to take their latest contest 7-6, 6-1 and edge 5-4 in front in their career head-to-head.

Thereafter, Sri Lankan number one Suresh Dharmasena stretched his unbeaten record against Mohamad Yusshazwan Bin Yusuf to six matches as he wrapped up a 6-2, 6-3 win and his country's 2-0 triumph overall.

"It’s been a great experience," Sri Lanka’s captain said. 

"We had a tough time against China and we lost to them last year, so it's good to get our revenge.

"Everyone’s come together well."

Ben Weekes helped Australia secure a fifth-place finish ©Getty Images
Ben Weekes helped Australia secure a fifth-place finish ©Getty Images

He added: "Our aim was to win this tournament and we made it.

"There was extra pressure because we had to beat Australia [in the round-robin pool] and they have Ben Weekes, one of the tougher players, but we pulled through.

"And, of course there was even pressure today against the home team, but we handled it."

A Sri Lankan men's team will contest the ITF World Team Cup for the 16th time and for the first time since 2016 after finishing third in regional qualification last year.

China, runners-up in the men’s event at the Asian qualification event in 2018, finished third this year after defeating second seeds Thailand 2-1.

They dropped just three games in winning the two singles rubbers.

World number 20 Weekes, meanwhile, won his third three-set singles contest in four days to remain undefeated as Australia gained fifth place with a 2-1 win over Iraq.

The tie concluded with a first match win of the week for Martyn Dunn with him and Weekes overcoming Hussein Hamid Habal and Hussein Khaleef Baroor 7-6, 6-0 in the doubles decider.