Singles Categories: will we keep the status quo or will we see a change?

With some exciting matches in the first round we are now all looking forward to watch the semi-finals that will start tomorrow after 11am at the National School of Sports in Pembroke. We have matches to keep all present on their seat’s edge!

We will start with the Women’s Singles category where we will have Fiorella Sadowski defending her title against Tiziana Mifsud. Sadowski and Mifsud have already met this season during the Singles Ranking Tournament and Fiorella has won the challenge 21-11 and 21-13 so she will start as favourite, but will Mifsud up her game to challenge the reigning Champion? In the second match we will see a rematch of the Junior Nationals Under 19 final between Michaela Ellul and Yanika Polidano. Michaela won the last encounter 17-21, 24-22, 21-14 in a very close match. We will be keeping a close eye on this one!

In the Men’s Singles we will be having Matthew Abela, the reigning champion, challenged by third seed Nigel Degaetano in what will definitely be a much awaited match and the young Mark Abela will be challenging the 8 times Men’s Singles National Champion Stefan Salomone. Salomone will start as a favourite but Abela will be surely giving his best to provide an interest match to watch.

Watch: Stefan Salomone vs Owen Grech in the Quarter Finals

Doubles: Exciting Matches on the Way!

In the Women’s Doubles semifinals, we will watch the number 1 seeded pair Yanika Polidano/Fiorella Sadowski playing against Carmen Spiteri/Rebecca Spiteri. It is a difficult encounter for the Spiteris, facing last year’s champions. In the second match young pair Eleonor Abela/Francesca Clark will face ex-Champions Jo’Anne Cassar/Jacqueline DeGiovanni. A game which will give great competition experience to the young couple.

In the first Men’s doubles young pair Sam Cassar/Mark Abela will be facing last year’s champions Samuel Calì/Stefan Salomone. Although still young, Cassar/Abela are showing huge potential in their doubles game. Will they manage to defeat the reigning champions? In the other Men’s Singles we will watch the experience of 7 times Men’s Doubles Champion Martin Farrugia pair with the young energetic Matthew Galea who will be facing second seeds Nigel DeGaetano/Stephen Ferrante.

In the Mixed Doubles we will be having two matches which are wide open for any result. First seeded Fiorella Sadowski/Stephen Ferrante will be facing Samuel Calì/Jacqueline DeGiovanni and in the second match Jo’Anne Cassar/Matthew Abela will be challenging last year’s semi-finalists Robert Salomone/Tiziana Mifsud. Two matches which will definitely offer some exciting rallies to watch.

Watch: Samuel Calì/Jacqueline DeGiovanni vs Aldo Polidano/Michaela Ellul

Games Live on Facebook

In a bid to continue promoting our sport Badminton Malta will be showing some of the games live on Facebook. We need your help by getting your friends to come and watch the finals on Sunday to create a great sport atmosphere.

We look forward to see many new faces to come and watch our exciting Badminton Show. Help us help badminton by attending and support your favourite players.

Badminton Malta would like to congratulate all players who made it to the semi finals and all those who gained experience by participating in this high level tournament.