Asciak loses semi-final in Tripoli

Matthew Asciak achieved another satisfactory result on the international scene by reaching the semi-final of the Al-Fatah ITF world ranking junior tournament in Tripoli, Libya, earlier this month.

The Malta champion was a whisker away from a place in the final but lost in three sets to Syria's no.1 seed and eventual winner Abdel Nour.

Asciak won the first set and led 4-1 in the second but Nour staged a remarkable comeback to win the second and third sets 6-4, 6-1.

In the first three rounds Asciak eliminated El Sallali, Nabel and Shamy, all from Egypt.

In doubles, Asciak partnered Clayton Zammit and the Maltese duo made it all the way to the final where they lost to the Syria pair.

Asciak is currently in Cyprus for another ITF world ranking event. In October, he plans to figure in other ITF competitions, mainly in Barcelona. His participation in these tournaments is made possible thanks to a sponsorship agreement with Lufthansa.