Matthew Asciak won the national title for the 11th consecutive time as the Gatorade Malta Open was played recently at the Marsa Sports Club.

In the final, attended by a sizeable crowd, Asciak prevailed over Benjamin Carlotti 7-6 6-1. He has now overtaken his parents, Gordon Asciak and Helen Degiorgio, as they were Malta champions for 10 consecutive years. Asciak Jnr won the prestigious tournament for the first time at the age of 15 years.

Carlotti, 30, hails from France and played University Tennis in North Carolina, US.

The first set was very close with Asciak taking a 3-1 lead and Carlotti fighting back to go 5-4 up. Asciak stepped up his game and won the first set in a tie-break 7-5.

The second set saw Asciak dominate all the way. His excellent drop-shots and volleys wore his opponent down and Asciak won the set 6-1 in a very straightforward manner.

On the way to the final, Asciak beat Adrian Marcello Vilanueva, Raphael Sammut and Mark Gatt without conceding a game. Carlotti beat Domenico Scordo 6-0 6-1, Kiril Nestorovski 6-0 6-0, Denzil Agius 6-1 6-1 and Bradley Callus 6-3 6-3.

Elaine Genovese won the Ladies Open title after beating Katrina Sammut 6-3 6-1 in the final.

Genovese eliminated Emma Mallia 6-0 6-0 and Julia Tedesco (Italy) 6-4 6-1.

In the other half of the draw, Sammut was forced to a third set by Ivana Kublickova 6-7 6-2 6-1 before overcoming Brenda Galea 6-3 6-2.

Genovese, who was abroad for the Malta Championships last year, had too much experience for her younger opponent. The first set provided those present with some exciting moments but Genovese showed her true potential in the second set.

Meanwhile, Asciak underlined his status as the country’s leading player by making it a double at the Malta Open.

In the doubles, he was partnered by Bradley Callus and they defended their title in style, beating Mark Gatt and Denzil Agius 6-3 6-1.

Malta Tennis Federation president David Farrugia Sacco, together with the Marsa Sports Club Tennis Section head Godwin Borg, presented trophies to the winners.

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