The San Michel International Tournament, organised recently by Tennis Club Kordin (TCK) and the Malta Tennis Federation, saw the participation of 64 young players from 12 different nations.

The tournament was of a very high standard and those present remarked it was a pleasure to watch the youngsters show their technical and tactical know-how to the climax of their ability.

Briton Anthony Parkin proved his top seeding by winning the boys' title. In the final he beat Kevin Albonetti, of Italy, in straight sets.

Parkin and Albonetti showed their full potential, especially in the first set which the Briton won on a tie-break.

The second set was different. Albonetti seemed to have lost his concentration and committed several unforced errors to lose 6-1.

The first four seeds in the girls' tournament had mixed fortunes.

The first round saw the elimination of second seed Karolina Pondusova (Slovakia). She was beaten by unseeded Italian Fiorella Zecchino.

Slovak Katarina Baranova, the top seed, lost to Ukrainian Olga Kishchun in the quarter-final stage while no.4 Christina Kandler, of Austria, had to show all her prowess in the semi-final to eliminate Zecchino 7-6 7-6.

Kishchun continued on her winning path at the TCK courts by beating third seed Barbora Lazarova, of Slovakia, to reach the final against Kandler.

Kishchun was the clear victor in the final after a 6-1 6-1 scoreline in her favour.

The Director of the Tournament was Benny Vidal. For the past month, he spared no effort to make the event a success.

Referee Oswald Tanti kept a strict eye on all proceedings while Judith Ricci did all the paperwork throughout the tournament.