Matthew Asciak and Elaine Genovese retained the titles they both won last year beating Denzil Agius and Kim Cassar in their respective finals of the Malta Open championships at the Marsa Sports Club.
The championships sponsored by Gatorade and sanctioned by the Malta Tennis Federation.
In the men’s singles Matthew Asciak was too strong for the rest of the field. The tournaments he is playing abroad have developed his game in one of power and speed. On the way to the final Matthew beat Par Jonsson and Aaron Stivala.
On the other side of the draw Denzil Agius had a close first round match beating Bernard Cassar Torreggiani 6/4 3/6 6/2. He then beat a Danish player, Alex Jesperson, in the next round playing some good tennis. In the semifinal he beat Mark Gatt 6-2 6-1.
The final was a one side affair. Denzil played some good tennis but Matthew was in total control from start to finish winning his fifth Malta Open title 6/1 6/1.
In the ladies singles Elaine Genovese beat Brenda Galea 6/0 6/0 in the semis while Kim Cassar beat Steffie Sullivan 3/6 6/0 6/1.
As anticipated the final between Kim and Elaine Malta’s top two female players was a good game to watch. Kim immediately took the initiative winning the first set 6/3 playing some excellent tennis.
In the second set Kim raced to a 5/3 lead and also had a match point at 5/4 but could not manage to close the match. It was here that Elaine started to produce her best tennis.
From 5/3 down in the second set she won six games in a row to go 2/0 up in the third set. Kim won the third game and at 2/1 for Elaine in the third set, play was cancelled because of the heavy rain that flooded the courts. Unfortunately because Kim had to travel the next morning to Tunis the match was awarded to Elaine.
The men’s doubles final was contested by Matthew Asciak and Denzil Agius against Mark Gatt and Aaron Stivala. Matthew and Denzil won the match 6/3 6/2.
Present for the presentation of trophies were Godwin Borg, chairman of the Marsa SC Tennis section, Dr David Farrugia Sacco, president of the Malta Tennis Federation, and Mark Camilleri, vice president.