Asciak, Genovese retain honours

Matthew Asciak and Elaine Genovese have confirmed their status as Malta’s top tennis players when they successfully defended their singles titles at the Gatorade Malta Open Championships.

The finals were played last Sunday in front of a sizeable crowd at the Marsa Sports Club.

In the men’s singles final, Asciak emphatically dismissed the challenge of the up-and-coming Raphael Sammut, 16, winning 6-0, 6-0.

Asciak was on top throughout the match with his consistent baseline play, interspersed with deft and sublime touches and drop shots. For Sammut, this was his first men’s singles Open final and an experience that should stand him in good stead.

In the semi-finals, Asciak knocked out Bradley Callus, 6-1, 6-1, while Sammut overcame Denzil Agius 3-6, 6-1, 6-1.

In the women’s singles final, Genovese had the better of Rosanne Dimech 6-1, 6-4.

Genovese began the match strongly and took a commanding lead, closing the set at 6-1.

In the second set, Dimech rallied to level at four-all but she was then broken by Genovese in the ninth game. Genovese held her serve to seal the match at 6-4 and secure the title.

In the semi-finals, Genovese defeated Katrina Sammut 6-0, 6-1 and Dimech eliminated Brenda Galea 6-2, 6-1.

The men’s doubles was won by Asciak and Callus who beat Sammut and the evergreen Marco Cappello 6-0 6-2 in the final.

The Gatorade Malta Open Championships were organised by the Marsa Sports Club under the auspices of the Malta Tennis Federation.