Mifsud, Mallia in US tournaments

Joseph Mifsud and Hansel Mallia recently travelled to the United States for the International Open and Grand Prix which took place in Washington DC.

The last time a Maltese player had taken part in one of the two tournaments was way back in 1994.

The entry list for both competitions included 45 players, hailing from seven countries including Holland, Malta and Austria.

The Grand Prix was played on Day One. Both Mifsud and Mallia qualified from their respective groups and made it through to the first knockout round.

Mifsud then won his quarter-final but Mallia lost his match against home player Zach Walker with a Golden Goal following a 3-3 draw. Mifsud was beaten in the semi-final by Austria's Wolfgang Haas by just one goal.

Dutchman Eric Verhagen won the final 3-0.

Semi-final upset

The International Open was played on Day Two.

After convincing victories in the knock-out stages, Mifsud and Mallia made it all the way to the semi-finals.

Mifsud was again ousted by Haas 2-0 while Mallia had to bow to top seed Verhagen after a spirited display which saw the Maltese player fighting back admirably but finishing at the wrong end of a 3-2 final scoreline.

Verhagen made it a double after beating Haas again in the final 3-1 to retain his no.1 position in the world rankings.

Also this month, Massimo Cremona played in the International Open of Milton Keynes, England.

After topping his group, Cremona went out at the quarter-final stage where he lost to Spain's Angel Valverde 3-0.

Valverde won the tournament after beating Kostas Kechkris, of Greece, 4-1 in the final.

Following these two events, Cremona retained his second position in the world rankings, Mifsud improved to no.11 and Mallia no.14.