by Malta’s Francesca Curmi beat Luxembourg’s Marie Weckerle in straight sets 6-2, 6-1 to book a place in the Women’s Singles final to be held on Saturday. Her victory sets up a thrilling encounter as the two top seeds, Curmi and Jimenez Katintseva, will challenge for gold in Saturday’s final.
A Crucial Break
Following the Genovese-Jimenez Katintseva encounter, Court 19 was treated to another fascinating semi-final, this time between Malta’s Francesca Curmi and Luxembourg’s Marie Weckerle. Though a bit shaky in the early stages, the two players exchanged holds without facing a break point in the first five matches.
However, at the change of ends at 3-2, there was a shift in Curmi’s intensity, which brought about the opening break of serve. Weckerle’s serve immediately came under attack as Curmi delivered a pin-point forehand down the line, which Weckerle followed up with a double fault. Curmi got another winner to earn three break points, and she stuck the break to love as Weckerle was first to flinch in the rally, opening a 4-2 lead for Malta’s representative.
The home crowd rallied behind their player to sustain the hold and though Weckerle fought to get to 30-30, Curmi raced back with a combination of serve out wide and a forehand return down the line to earn the lead in the game. Weckerle went long with the next point to confirm the hold. At 5-2 and with the majority of the crowd against her, Luxembourg’s Weckerle faced a sizeable challenge. Though she cut two set-points out of three, she fell in the next point, handing Curmi another break and the opening set, 6-2.
Curmi Secures the Final
The world number 317 opened the second set with a strong hold, while Weckerle started misfiring allowing Curmi to open a 3-0 lead. Luxembourg’s representative got a hold, despite her first serve percentage dropping, to get on the scoreboard in the second set at 3-1. There was delightful tennis from the two, as they exchanged not only blows but respect for each other’s craft. Aces, smashes and pinpoint rallies followed, but though getting close Weckerle often faltered at the final moments, whereas Curmi stuck the landing.
At 5-1, Curmi served for the match and earned herself two match points. However, Weckerle fought back to erase both and earn a deuce. Match point three came and went away, but there was no hesitance at the fourth asking, as Curmi delivered a mighty serve that the Luxembourger could not return. The world number 317 bellowed a loud ‘Come On’ as she confirmed her place in the final in straight sets (6-2, 6-1), before meeting her opponent at the net for a customary handshake and show of appreciation to the crowd.
Francesca Curmi will face top-seed Victoria Jimenez Katintseva in Saturday’s Women’s Singles final, in a match that is not to be missed. However, Curmi will first set sight on Friday’s Women’s Double’s final where she will team up with Elaine Genovese against Luxembourg’s Eleonora Molinaro and Marie Weckerle for a chance to land the first gold. The final starts at 10 am at the Marsa Sports Club.
Photo: Laura Cunningham
