Elaine Genovese is the BOV Top Six Masters champion after beating Katrina Sammut 6-3, 6-0 in the final played recently at the Marsa Sports Club.

Sammut, 14, was making her first showing in a major final.

She started out strongly, breaking her opponent’s serve in the first game. But Genovese, 22, also broke Sammut’s first serve and utilised her superior strength and experience to overcome the youngster’s game.

Although clearly the superior player, Genovese had a strong challenge on her hands with Sammut having several game and break points in the second set.

The Masters Tournament is a technical assessment of national team players ahead of the upcoming Fed Cup and GSSE commitments, and features the country’s best players.

The tournament is played with two preliminary Round Robin groups of three players, with the winners in each section qualifying for the semi-finals.

“The Malta Tennis Federation welcomes BOV’s renewed support for local tennis,” David Farrugia Sacco, the federation president, said.

“We are constantly trying to integrate youngsters with more experienced players through a training programme which has long-term national team objectives.

“Elaine is now an established champion and the country’s leading female player. She is testimony to the potential success of this programme.”

A presentation was made after the final where prize-money and trophies were awarded to the winner, runner-up and semi-finalists.