Mark Gatt reaches singles semi-finals and two doubles finals on the Senior Tennis Tour

Last week Mark Gatt participated in another Seniors tournament, this time a Grade 2 clay court event at Murcia La Magna Tennis club in Spain.

Carl Townsend and Mark Gatt after their singles match at the Murcia La Magna Club
Carl Townsend and Mark Gatt after their singles match at the Murcia La Magna Club

He entered three events in the over 35s, the mens singles, mens doubles and mixed doubles. In the mens singles he had wins over Carl Townsend of Great Britain 6/2 6/1 and Owusu Prince of Ghana 6/0 6/0. In the semis he played Spanish clay courter Jorge Aguilar-Mateos ranked 56 in the world. Mark’s Spanish opponent had a very good start winning the first set 6/1 and getting an early break in the second set. Mark however did not give up and broke straight back and led 3/2, 4/3 and 5/4 in the second set and even had a set point on his opponent’s serve. However he did not take his chance and lost to the winner of the tournament 6/1, 7/5.

In the mens doubles event Mark and his partner for the week Andy Cresswell of Great Britain won their quarterfinal match against Townsend and Kneller from Great Britain 6/0, 6/0 and their semi-final match against A. Miah of Great Britain and H. Kallen from Sweden 6/0, 6/1. In the final Mark and Andy faced the number 2 seeds Charles Durham ranked 26 in the world and Ian Udal ranked 39 in the world. Ian and Charles had the better start and won the first set by six games to two. In the second set Mark and Andy started to play better and won the second set by six games to four. Ian and Charles won the decisive championship tiebreak by ten points to six and the mens doubles title.

In the mixed doubles event Mark and his partner for the week Astrid Obermaier seeded second won their first match against B. Izquiendo and R. Erposito from Spain 6/0, 6/0. In their next match Astrid and Mark played Ian and Pauline Udal from Great Britain and won 6/2 6/4. In the semis Mark and Astrid faced Charles Durham and Jenny Chin from Great Britain and won 6/2, 6/1. The final unfortunately was not played as Mark’s partner had her ladies doubles final and a flight to catch that same afternoon.

It was an excellent week at La Magna club. Mark’s singles ranking has now risen to 59 in singles, up 47 places. He is no.28 in doubles, up 27 places and 19 in mixed doubles (Over 35).  Mark would like to thank Living Well at the Hilton for their continuous support.