Curmi, Genovese secure Malta’s first medal at Mediterranean Games as they reach women’s doubles final

Tennis duo Francesca Curmi and Elaine Genovese have secured Team Malta their first medal at the 2022 Mediterranean Games after they produced an astonishing fightback to reach the final of the women’s doubles.

Facing top seeds Nuria Brancaccio and Aurora Zantetedeschi, of Italy, few had given a chance to the Maltese duo to proceed to the final and assure themselves of a place on the podium.

In fact, the Maltese pair found themselves behind in the semi-final when Brancaccio and Zantetedeschi took the first set of the match 6-3.

However, Curmi and Genovese refused to throw in the towel and they fought back admirably in the second set to prevail in a tight tie-break to level the match and force the decider.

Here, the Italians tried to step up their gear to try and turn the match in their favour but they had to contend with the fighting qualities of the Maltese duo.

In fact, Curmi and Genovese needed to cancel five match points in the third match before going on to upset the tournament top seeds and complete an astonishing 3-6, 7-6, 11-9 victory.

Curmi and Genovese will now proceed to the doubles final where they will be up against Spanish duo Jessica Bouas Maneiro and Guiomar Maristany Zuleta.

No doubt, the Maltese duo will step into the final with little pressure on their shoulders as they have already rewritten the history books of Maltese tennis by become the first players to win a medal at the Mediterranean Games as they are already sure of coming home with a silver medal around their neck.

But the Maltese player will give it their all to complete a fairytale run in the tournament by winning the gold medal in Thursday’s final.