Matthew Asciak, Elaine Genovese champions of MSV Life Marsa open

Matthew Asciak and Elaine Genovese dominated the Men’s and Ladies Singles title. The 24-year-old Asciak overcame Ben Farrugia 6-0 6-0, Raphael Sammut 6-1 6-1, and in the semi-final Asciak beat Matthew Cassar Torregiani 6-0 6-0. In the final, Asciak, the Malta Open champion for the past 10 years, prevailed Bernard Cassar Torregiani 6-2 6-1. On the way to the final, Cassar Torregiani defeated Miguel Galea 6-1 6-1, Denzil Aguis 6-3 6-1. In the semi-final, Cassar Torregiani had the better of Bradley Callus 6-3 6-1. The Mens Singles final was of a very high level and 18-year-old Cassar Torregiani put up a very good show and the numerous crowd present appreciated the excellent performance by both players.

Elaine Genovese dominated the Ladies Singles Final overpowering her 11-year-old opponent in the final, Alina Shcherbinina, from Russia. Shcherbinina, who has been training at the Gordon Asciak Tennis School for the past 4 years, impressed one and all and was definitely the surprise of this year’s edition. Genovese, 24, beat Georgina Farrugia Sacco 6-0 6-0 in the semi-final, while in the other semi-final Shcherbinina shook the tournament when she beat Malta’s no 2 player Katrina Sammut 6/4 7/5. Shcherbinina trailed 4-1 in the first set but her different array of strokes and the ability to change the game at the right time enabled her to unsettle Sammut to eventually win in 2 sets.

In the final, Alina faced Genovese, Malta’s top player. It was obvious that Genovese would overpower Shcherbinina, but the young, sturdy Russian still managed to put her older opponent under pressure at times and managed to win 3 games. Final score Genovese beat Shcherbinina 6/1 6/2.

Asciak underlined his status as the country’s leading playing by making it a double victory winning the Men’s Doubles Final with Bradley Callus. Asciak/Callus dominated the tournament, disposing of B. Cassar Torregiani/M. Cassar Torregiani 6-2 6-1. Asciak/Callus defeated Miguel Galea/Nicky Sullivan 6-1 6-1. In the Final, Asciak/Callus outclassed Mark Gatt/Denzil Aguis 6-0 6-1 in a one-sided final.

The presentation of the MSV Life Marsa Open was held on court No. 1 after the last match. Attending the presentation was Norman Mifsud representing MSV Life, Chairman of the Marsa Sports Club tennis section Godwin Borg and David Farrugia Sacco, President of the Malta Tennis Federation.