The Main Draw of the ITF U/18 Galbani World Ranking Tournament started yesterday at the Marsa Sports Club.

Young Maltese players Denzil Agius and Clayton Zammit made an early exit at the hands of two very strong opponents. Denzil lost 2-6,2-6 to Martin Prikryl from the Czech Republic who emphasised his superiority especially through his precise and strong forehands to his opponent’s flanks.

Clayton Zammit did not settle down and played very nervously. After losing the first set 2-6 to Alistair Barnes from the UK he had to retire early in the second set despite the intervention of the Tournament physiotherapist.

Top seed in the girls’ event Amandine Hesse from France had an emphatic 6-1,6-1 win against Elizabeth Ullathorne from the UK.

Top seeded boy Emanuele Molina from Italy will today come into action when he meets James Turbervile from the UK who yesterday beat Nikola Dzaleta from Serbia with a close 6-2,7-6 score.

The tournament, which is mainly sponsored by Galbani and by co-sponsors Gasan Mamo, San Michel and Wilson, brings on stage local girls Kimberly Cassar and Elaine Genovese against Sofie Oyen from Belgium and Alessandra Pickerill from the US. The standard of the girls’ event is quite high and some fine and strong tennis has been witnessed.