Italians crowned beach champions
Italian duo Alessandro Calbucci and Michell Capeletti dethroned defending champions and compatriots Alex Mingozzi and Matteo Marighella to be crowned the Bermuda Beach Tennis International champions.Calbucci and Capeletti defeated Mingozzi and Marighella 6-4, 5-7,6-2 in three thrilling sets at Horseshoe Bay at the weekend.Italy also won the women’s title as Simona Banadona and Eva D’Elia defeated Americans Nicole Melch and Nadia Johnston 6-0, 6-3.Organiser Tony Brannon praised the high standard of play by both the professional and the amateur players.“First of all Mark and I would like to thank you all for the support and participation, and a special thank you also to our sponsors,” said Brannon. “We had a great weekend of weather and therefore an abundance of beach tennis activities.“We were able to complete three professional events and three amateur events on both Saturday and Sunday.“We were very proud to have had very kind words from the players regarding the running of the event.One half of the champion duo, Alessandro Calbucci, was very impressed and spoke highly of the event when accepting his earnings from the Minister of Tourism, the honourable Wayne Furbert.“We were very impressed with way the tournament was run.“It was organised on the same level as our international tournament in Italy, and this is the most beautiful site I have played at in the world.”On Saturday, Matteo Marighella and Eva D’elia won the Mixed professional event, beating Italian Michele Cappelletti and American Nicole Melch 6-3.Winners of Mixed Amateurs was Mike and Debbie Toyer who defeated Bermuda’s Paul Towlson and American Tanya Baytor.