The Malta Davis Cup team, consisting of Malta champion Matthew Asciak, Bradley Callus, Denzil Aguis and Mark Gatt had two excellent wins at the Bulgarian National Tennis Centre in Sofia this week.

In fact, Malta beat Iceland and San Marino 2-1.

In the match against Iceland, Asciak won the first singles easily against B. Gunnarson 6-0, 6-0.

Then Denzil Aguis put up a very good fight against A. Jonsson before losing 4-6, 6-4, 4-6. But Asciak, ably partnered by Mark Gatt, gave Malta victory as they got the better of Gunnarsson/Jonsson 6-1, 6-3.

Last year, Malta lost to Iceland in Macedonia, so this was sweet revenge in Sofia.

Malta then beat San Marino 2-1 with Asciak giving Malta its first point by beating Marco De Rossi 6-2, 6-2. Bradley Callus had an excellent win against Giacomo Zonzini 1-6, 6-1, 6-2 and gave Malta an unassailable 2-0 lead. Bradley played an excellent match.

Mark Gatt and Denzil Aguis then lost the doubles to De Rossi/Vicini 2-6, 4-6.

It was a good performance by Malta, against a team which has enjoyed success in past Davis Cup and Small States of Europe events.

Malta then lost to Greece and Norway 0-3.

Angelinos of Greece beat the Malta captain Asciak 6-4, 7-6 in a very close match while Gemouchidis overpowered Bradley Callus 6-2, 6-0.

In the doubles, Asciak and Gatt were on the losing side 6-3, 6-4 against the no.1 seeds.

In the match against Norway, Asciak lost to Boretti 6-3, 6-1. Bradley Callus played a good match despite losing 6-1, 6-1 against Tveit. Mark Gatt and Denzil Aguis found it very tough against the strong Norwegian doubles team and lost 6-0 6-1.

National coach Gordon Asciak was extremely pleased with the results achieved in Sofia. These results are positive for next year’s Small States

of Europe Games in Luxembourg. The vice president of the Malta Tennis Federation, Mark Camilleri and the President Dr David Farrugia Sacco were also very satisfied with the results and commented that this is good for Maltese tennis.