Matthew Asciak and Matija Pecotic had an impressive start in the men’s doubles at the GSSE 2023, easily beating in two straight sets the pair from Iceland. This victory puts the local pair in the semifinals and with a bronze medal already assured.

Their next opponents will be the pair from Luxembourg who yesterday easily defeated the pair from Liechtenstein.

Matthew Asiack and Matija Pecotic lost the first game against Magnusson and Ristic, but that proved to be the only game the Maltese pair con‐ ceded during the match.

Asciak and Pecotic played a very good game always keeping the service with relative ease, with Ristic at the other end, very erratic making a series of double faults. The Maltese pair won 6‐1, 6‐0.

In the other match from the men’s doubles Alex Knaff and Raphael Calzi of Luxembourg defeated Moritz Glauser and Serafin Zeund of Liechtenstein 6‐1, 6‐2.

In a match from the women’s double competition Maria Ioan‐ nou and Maria Constantinou of

Cyprus defeated Iceland’s Sofia Jonasdottir and Anna Gronholm 6‐4, 6‐1.

Four Maltese players will be in action today with both Matthew Asciak and Matija Pecotic again on the courts in the men’ singles competition. Pecotic will take on Andorra’s Damien Gelabeart and Matthew Asciak will face San Marino’s De Marco.

Francesca Curmi and Elaine Genovese will also make their debut in the women’s doubles when they face the San Marino pair.

 

Maltese dominate in Squash

The Maltese squash players had an outstanding performance on the opening day with squash taking centre stage.

In the men’s competition Niall Engerer defeated Konstantinos Kir‐ mitsis of Cyprus 11‐3, 11‐2, and Kijan Sultana beat Gustav Bjornnsson of Iceland 11‐3, 11‐0. Daniel Zammit Lewis also won his match against Yiannis Eftychiou of Cyprus, 11‐6, 11‐4.

In the quarter finals in the afternoon session, Niall Engerer beat Amir Samimi of Luxembourg 10‐12, 11‐6, 11‐9 and in a direct clash between two Maltese players Kijan Sultana defeated Daniel Zammit Lewis 11‐9, 15‐13 to move to the semi finals.

In the women’s singles competition Johanna Rizzo was defeated by Luxembourg’s Sandra Denis 9‐11, 11‐8, 11‐8. Sisters Liliana and Co‐ lette Sultana advaced to the semi finals with victories over opponents from Luxembourg.

Liliana defeated Michelle Meyer 11‐2, 11‐1, and Colette also easily beat Francoise Donven 11‐1, 11‐2.