Boris Pashanski reached the final of the men's singles event at the Aldosa Sports Complex yesterday after beating Guillaume of Monaco 7-6 (3) 6-3 in the first semi-final.

But the injured Lisa Camenzuli bowed out of the competition, losing to a superior Mandy Minella of Luxembourg 6-1, 6-0.

Pashanski had an unsteady start as the Monaco player seemed to be playing on top of his form, never allowing the Maltese boy to settle down comfortably.

One thought it would be an easy afternoon for Pashanski after taking a quick break at the start, but Guillaume hit back to break Pashanski and equalise at 3-3. Eventually it was Pashanski who triumphed in the tie-break.

In the second set, Pashanski showed his superiority as Guillaume seemed to have tired out. Our boy went on to assure himself of a place in the final by winning 6-2.

Playing with a heavily strapped shoulder, Lisa was never given a chance by the stronger Minella, who left a very good impression.

Camenzuli made a series of unforced errors which enabled Minella to gain the upper hand quickly.

In the first set, Camenzuli won the sixth game to make it 5-1, but that was as far as she went. Because Minella won the next game to take the first set.

In the second, it became even more evident that Camenzuli was feeling the effects of her shoulder injury as she was winning more points on her opponents' serve rather than on her own. Minella went on to win the set six games to love.

After the match, David Farrugia Sacco, general secretary of the Malta Tennis Federation, said that despite the defeat, they were just the same satisfied with the bronze medal. "We were well aware of Luxembourg's strength in this sector. And Lisa also had to contend with that shoulder injury. And we must credit her with a fine performance in the qualifying match which she won despite her injury," he said.

Coach Dusan Janicjevic was also not surprised by Lisa Camenzuli's defeat. "I was expecting it, not only because she was playing against the No. 1 seed but also because of her injury. One could not that her service was badly effected. She just could not do any more on the day. Of course, we would have liked to see her reaching the final, but in the circumstances, we are satisfied with the bronze medal," he said.

He added there were no doubts about Boris Pashanski's talents and added he would have been surprised had he not reached the final.

Janicjevic also commented on the new era which has commenced in tennis. "We have changed several faces from the last edition. Now we have some newcomers who still have to gain valuable experience. But I believe we are on the right track. With patience and commitment, we will be able to obtain the desired results in future," he said.

Leter in the evening Lia Camenzuli and Stephanie Pace were eliminated from the women’s doubles competition by Liechtenstein’s Hemmerle and Vogt.