Polidano, De Giovanni win singles titles

The Malta Badminton Association recently organised the 33rd National Championships - the Paddy Stubbs Memorial.

All matches were played at St Martin's and comprised the traditional five categories: men's singles and doubles, ladies' singles and doubles and mixed doubles.

This year's men's singles final was contested by defending champion Stefan Salomone and Aldo Polidano.

Stefan Salomone had the better of Robert Salomone and Martin Farrugia on his way to the final while Polidano ousted Edmund Abela and Kenneth Vella, last year's finalist.

A determined Polidano made his intentions clear from the very first set when he raced to an 11-2 lead. A late rally saw Salomone reducing the gap to 11-6 but Polidano quickly regained the service and wrapped up the set 15-6.

It was here that Salomone started to make his presence felt on court, taking a 6-2 lead in the second set. Polidano made a strong recovery but Salomone soon regained control to take the second set 15-9.

The third set was balanced but gradually Polidano asserted his authority to open a 14-6 lead.

Salomone notched the next three points but Polidano promptly reclaimed the service winning the next point that handed him his first ever national singles title.

Jacqueline De Giovanni and Jo'Anne Cassar contested the women's singles final. De Giovanni took a balanced first set 11-9 but then had no reply to her opponent's strong reaction in the second set, which Cassar won 11-5.

In the third set, both contestants played their hearts out but it was De Giovanni who finally prevailed 11-8 to take her third consecutive 'Nationals' honour.

The men's doubles title was retained by brothers Robert and Stefan Salomone. They beat Kenneth Vella/Aldo Polidano 15-7 15-12 in the final.

Catherine Dimech/Jo'Anne Cassar successfully defended the women's doubles title after having the better of Rachel Attard/ Jacqueline De Giovanni 15-7 15-5.

Jacqueline De Giovanni/Stefan Salomone upset holders Catherine Dimech/Kenneth Vella in the mixed doubles final with a straight sets victory - 15-8 15-12.