192 players for ranking event at Marsa SC

The Marsa Sports Club will be a hive of activity this week when the Malta Tennis Federation hosts an ITF U-18 world ranking tournament.

This competition has been played in Malta ever since 1995.

This year, 192 players from 36 countries will take part with some highly-ranked players in the U-18 category making the trip and looking to win valuable points to improve their positions in the ITF list.

Malta will be fielding a team of 16 players in both men's and women's competitions with 2006 winner Matthew Asciak and Elaine Genovese leading the local hopes of success.

Competition is expected to be very tough for all players as this year the tournament attracted players of a higher level. In fact, the ITF has opened the entry card to Grade Four players as opposed to previous editions which were open to those from Grade Five.

David Farrugia Sacco, the Malta Tennis Federation president, told a news conference yesterday that the tournament represented a great opportunity for the Maltese to garner valuable international experience as the local governing body of tennis is looking to build a valid national squad ahead of future participations in the Games of the Small States of Europe.

"We are delighted that the International Tennis Federation has again entrusted the Malta Tennis Federation to organise such a prestigious tournament here," the MTF president said.

"Over the past 13 years this tournament has established itself as one of the most popular ITF competitions in Europe at this time of the year. In fact, way back in 1995 we had an entry field of 80 players and today we are catering for more than double that amount.

"Originally 260 players had applied but we were forced to turn down a number of applications due to the limited places available.

"It has always been the federation's aim to provide Maltese players the opportunity to improve their game by competing in international competitions here in Malta. We are sure that this year's tournament will again be an ideal learning curve for our upcoming players."

Qualifying round

The ITF tournament starts on Friday with the qualifying round. Here, 48 players, in both categories, will be bidding for a place in the main draw which starts on Monday.

Asciak and Genovese will be playing in the main draw and will be joined by Kim Cassar, Alexia Valenzia, Omar Sudzuoka, Clayton Zammit and Germany-based Francesco Galea who has been invited by the MTF to compete in this competition.

Another nine MTF junior players will figure in the qualifying draw.

To host the tournament, the Malta Tennis Federation is being assisted by Gasan Mamo Insurance, San Michel and the Malta Tourism Authority.