Three Maltese reach semi-finals

The official opening of the Malta 2003 GSSE was held last night but first competition had already been underway much earlier in the day when the Marsa Sports Club courts hosted the opening rounds of the singles squash tournaments.

The Maltese have lofty aspirations in this sport on the back of the various high placings obtained in tournaments for small Euro nations.

Three berths in the semi-finals of the singles events should constitute an encouraging start even though there was an unexpected setback yesterday in the men's tournament, an event reserved for the top two seeds from each nation.

Malta's no.2, Joseph Desira, who plays in the Australian national league, was eliminated in the opening round by Luxembourg's Neal Raval 3-0 - 9-6, 9-2, 9-3.

Michael Fiteni, another Maltese/Australian in the team, however, made up for that partial setback when he ousted Andreas Hofer, of Liechtenstein, to reach the last four.

Fiteni was hardly troubled in the opening two sets which he both won 9-1. Over-confidence, or perhaps a little extra thought on today's semi-finals, then saw Fiteni playing somewhat erratically in the opening phase of the third game. However, that was soon over once the Malta no. 1 regained full confidence to sweep past his opponent 9-3 for a clear 3-0 win.

In the semi-final, Fiteni takes on Luxembourg's Sean Raval while P. Hadjiphilippou, of Cyprus, faces Monaco's M. Lusher.

In the women's singles Dianne Desira is our top-ranked player. The draw went her way as she is already sure of a place in the last four of the competition having earned a bye in the first round.

Desira will be joined by Therese Camilleri in the semi-finals line-up.

Yesterday, Camilleri gave Luxembourg's Isabel Juan no chance as she won 9-6, 9-6, 9-4 on her way to a deserved 3-0 win.

Desira today plays against Luxembourg's S. Dents while Camilleri faces V. Karasavas of Cyprus.