Malta champion Matthew Asciak (photo) has reached the semi-final of a $10.000 Men’s ITF Futures Tournament held in Kampala, Uganda this week.

Asciak reached the last four after coming through the qualifying event.

In the last round qualifying round, the 19-year-old Maltese player beat Jean-Claude Gasigwa from Rwanda 6-1 6-2. Asciak was seeded 3 in this qualifying event.

In the Main-Draw first round, Asciak eliminated Mohazebnia from Iran 6-3 7-5. The 27 year old has an ATP ranking of 927.

In the second round Asciak faced Duncan Magabe, the no.1 player from Uganda. The Ugandan ace was seeded 6 in the Kampala Futures and ranked 776.

The New Vision Newspapers had a headline’ Maltese shocks Mugabe at Logogo’.......Malta’s Matthew Asciak recorded the biggest upset yesterday ejecting seed six Ugandan Duncan Magabe in staight sets on centre court.

Asciak who last played in Lugogo four years ago, (Davis Cup), returned to the same venue more vigilant to register the biggest win for himself in the Futures event. Asciak ranked 1,354, won 6-4 6-4.

In the quarter-final, Asciak beat Alexandre Folie from Belgium seeded 4 and ranked 689, 6-2 7-6 (4). Folie represented Belgium In the European Championships U-18 last year in Austria.

In the semi-finals, Asciak lost to Bagdan Leonte from Romania 6-3 6-3. Leonte, the no. 2 seed has a ranking of 516 ATP.

After this tournament, Matthew has gained another five precious ATP points, and now has a total of eight.

His ranking will improve considerably from 1,354. For his efforts in Kampala, Matthew has been rewarded with a wild card into the main draw for the ITF Futures tournament in Nairobi Kenya starting tomorrow.