The 55th national championships organised by the Malta Table Tennis Association came to an end at the University Sports Gym, Msida, on Monday. Edward Baldacchino retained the Men’s Singles title for the third consecutive year by beating Mario Genovese 4-3 in a very close and tense match.

Mario started aggressively playing a perfect attacking game winning the first three sets quite convincingly 11-8, 11-5, 11-9. He also took a good 4-0 lead in the fourth and it seemed that the match was over.

However, Edward rose to the occasion turning round the match 11-6, 11-5, 11-6, 11-9.

This is Edward’s seventh title as Malta champion.

In the Ladies event Johanna Grech proved her class and experience winning her 20th title as Ladies champion by beating Nadia Bonett 4-0. The youngsters such as Jessica Pace and Jessica Bianco have a good future but obviously need the required experience to beat the veteran Johanna Grech. In the other finals Edward Baldacchino and Mario Genovese beat David Pace and Mark Azzopardi in the Doubles event 4-3.

In the Veterans event Peter Borg Cardona beat Alex Anastasi 4-2 and in the Plate event, Anton Vella Laurenti beat Christian Dimech 4-1.

The Juniors national championships will now be held between 10 and 12 July.

Full results

Men’s Singles: Edward Baldacchino beat Mario Genovese 4-3: 8-11, 5-11, 9-11, 11-6, 11-5, 11-6, 11-9.

Ladies Singles: Johanna Grech beat Nadia Bonett 4-0: 8-11-4, 11-5, 11-8, 11-9

Men’s Doubles: Edward Baldacchino and Mario Genovese beat David Pace and Mark Azzopardi 4-3: 11-8, 4-11, 11-6, 8-11, 11-6, 10-12, 15-13.

Veterans: Peter Borg Cardona beat Alex Anastasi 4-2

9-11, 11-9, 11-9, 11-13, 7-11, 11-6

Plate event: Anton Vella Laurenti beat Chrristina Dimech 4-1: 11-4, 11-7, 11-7, 7-11, 11-3