Matthew Asciak and Francesca Curmi had an excellent display in the last match of the day to reach the gold medal’s final set for Saturday, in an otherwise unlucky and negative day for the Malta tennis at the 2025 GSSE in Andorra.
This was the only victory obtained in four matches yesterday with Francesca Curmi and Alex De Gabriele eliminated in the semis of the singles events, and with the same Curmi and Elaine Genovese losing the gold medal match in the ladies doubles.
Francesca Curmi was the protagonist of the day, or better still her health conditions hit the headlines, with Curmi needing several medical treatment during matches and also ending in hospital for better treatment.
This undoubtedly hindered her performances yesterday, but somehow she resisted and was again in top form when she teamed with matthew Asciak in the mixed doubles.
The start of the day was rather positive as Francesca Curmi looked at her best in the first set of the semi-final against Marie Weckerle of Luxembourg. Curmi won the first rather easily 6-3.
But then at the start of the second set, trouble started as Curmi was not feeling well and asked for a medical time out. Assisted my the medical staff she returned to the court after several minutes, but it was not the same Curmi.
Weckerle started to dominate with Francesca Curmi in apparent difficulty. Weckerle won the second set 6-1, with Curmi again leaving the court at the end of the second set to receive further treatment.
On the return for the third set, things did not change much. Francesca had some moments of good tennis but she was fighting a lost cause. Not at her best she continued to struggle with Weckerle giving the killer touch with some good shot to win the set 6-2 and move to the final.
After the match Francesca Curmi was even taken to hospital for treatment and eventually returned to play the ladies doubled final together with Elaine Genovese. The match started half an hour late as the Malta team obtained a delay for medical reasons.
Against the couple from Luxembourg, with the same Weckerle and Eleanora Molinaro Simon, the Maltese couple tried to re-confirm the gold medal won at the Marsa Sports Club two years ago.
The Maltese pair had a good start, obtaining a break and going to games ahead.
But quickly the Luxembourg pair recovered and the set was very tense and close with some thrilling exchanges. The set went to the tie break which went Luxembourg’s way.
The second set started with both couples keeping the service in the first five games with Luxembourg in front 3-2. But then again, Francesca Curmi health problems cropped up again. She was again assisted by a medical team, but once again on the court it was evident that it was not malta’s day.
Curmi struggled and although she and Elaine Genovese gave their all, the pair from Luxembourg were better on the day and won the set 6-3 to claim the golden medal.
Minutes later on the other court Luxembourg also won gold in the men’s doubles for a complete sweep of the doubles.
Earlier, Alex De Gabriele was also eliminated in the semi final against the favourite from Monaco Valentin Vacherot 6-4, 6-2.
Finally the good news from the last match with Matthew Asciak and Curmi playing a great match against Nicholas Campbell and Nina Andronicau of Cyprus, winning 6-4, 6-4, and will meet the pair from Luxembourg.
