The Arkadia Gozo Open was played recently at the Kempinski Hotel, San Lawrenz.

The tournament produced a series of close matches with competitors in both 'A' and 'B' events testing their fitness and playing three or more matches in a relatively short four-hour period.

The number of players taking part increased significantly from last year, showing that efforts from the Gozo Squash Association to promote the game is reaping the desired dividends.

The 'B' event attracted 16 participants. The top two seeds, Adrian Pace and defending champion Matthew Borg, both reached the final following hard-earned victories in the semi-finals over Sue Aquilina and Mark Wright respectively.

In the final, Borg was always in control and clinched the deciding game 11-7 to retain the title.

The qualifying process for the 'A' event followed. There were no surprises here and the four qualifiers moved into the first round proper to face the higher seeds.

Young players John Cuschieri and Colette Sultana produced outstanding performances against Robert Sultana and Peter Wirth.

However, superior fitness and experience prevailed in the end.

The semi-final line-up saw Paul Lake, a last-minute replacement for injured George Vassallo, play Sultana, and defending champion Carl Camilleri face up to Wirth.

Lake beat Sultana 3-1 while Camilleri produced a clinical display to send Wirth home 3-0.

The final was testament to Camilleri's recent improvement. He dominated the match from the start and never gave Lake a chance to find his rhythm, running out a comfortable 3-0 winner.

Gozo Squash Association president, Amand P. Veranneman, thanked the Kempinski Hotel and Spa owners for providing their excellent facilities and also Arkadia Gozo for their support.

"It's always a pleasure to see so many players enjoying this great sport," he said.

"They appreciate the efforts we make to organise an event like this and we look forward to seeing them returning for our next competition in July."