In the women’s doubles Elaine Genovese and Francesca Curmi had to settle for silver against the Cyprus pair in the final yesterday, losing 2-6, 3-6 in a match completely dominated by the Cyprus pair made up of Eleni Louka and Raluka Serban.

The Maltese were practically never in the match, never coming to grips with their opponents’ play. Contrary to what happened in the semi final against Montenegro, the Maltese lacked co-ordination and were many a times caught on the wrong foot as movements on the court were not smooth.

Moreover we were absent near the net, and erratic whenever they tried to get the point on the net. After the match the Maltese pair, supported my many of the athletes that formed part the Malta contingent, were evidently disappointed.

Elaine Genovese said however that she was satisfied with her achievements in Montenegro, obtaining the bronze in the singles and the silver in the doubles. She said that she could have gained another medal in the mixed doubles, but her partner Matthew Asciak injured himself in the men’s singles and another medal opportunity was lost.

Returning to the final Elaine Genovese said that it was very difficult against Cyprus and that they surely played much better against Montenegro in the final. She finally said that the rain did not make it easy either, practically idle in the first two days, and then having to play frequent matches in the days that followed.

In a short comment after the match Francesca Curmi said that she was disappointed with their performance today and said that the display against Montenegro in the semi-final was one of their best ever performances.

Cyprus quickly made their intentions clear breaking the service from Francesca Curmi and then from Genovese to take a 3-0 lead. Malta managed to break in the fourth game and held the service in the fifth to make it 3-2 and getting back in the set.

Cyprus held their service in the sixth game and then broke again on Elaine Genovese’s service to go 5-2 in front, and then closed the set holding the service in the eighth game for a 6-2 score.

The start of the second set was similar to the first with Cyprus breaking Francesca Curmi’s service and holding this lead till the score was 4-2. They broke again Genovese’s service to go 5-2 in front.

The Maltese pair made a last ditch effort breaking their opponent to make it 5-3, but on the ninth game Cyprus broke Francesca Curmi’s service to seal the set and match 6-2, 6-3.