Asciak and Genovese reach final

Matthew Asciak and Elaine Genovese gave themselves a much-needed lift yesterday as they battled their way into the final of the mixed doubles event following a three-set thriller against Benjamin Bal-leret and Louise-Alice Gambarini, of Monaco, at the Tennis Club Arquebusiers.

It was a timely boost for the tennis team as earlier in the day Asciak, Genovese and Roseanne Dimech had all suffered exits from the singles.

Asciak threw away a one-set lead to lose to Cypriot Petros Chrysochos 5-7, 6-4, 6-4 and Genovese was no match for Stephanie Voigt, of Liechtenstein, as the world no. 201 breezed to a comfortable 6-1, 6-1 win.

Dimech also bowed out in the quarter-finals following a 6-3 6-1 upset to Laura Correia, of Luxembourg.

But the highlight of the day was the mixed doubles semi-final which turned out to be a real nail-biter.

Things didn’t start too well for the Maltese duo when they conceded the opening set 6-4. However, they broke their opponents twice in the second set to seal it 6-2 and force a decider.

This was a close affair with Monaco surging 4-2 in front but Asciak and Genovese fought back strongly to complete a remarkable recovery and win 10-7. In so doing, they assured themselves of at least a silver medal in this event.

Their opponents in the gold medal match will be Voigt and Timo Kranz.

Yesterday, the Liechtenstein pair also needed three sets to beat Tiffany Cornelius and Laurent Bram, of Luxembourg, 3-6 6-3 10-5.