Italians want their Bermuda beach title back

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 10: Italy’s Alex Mingozzi and Matteo Marighella will be out to avenge last year’s loss to compatriots Alessandro Calbucci and Michele Cabelletti in the professional men’s final during this month’s ITF Beach Tennis International at Horseshoe Bay.

The top beach tennis duo were denied a hat-trick of titles after losing 7-5, 7-6 (10-8) to Calbucci and Cabelletti in last year’s evenly-contested final.

Calbucci will bid to defend his crown this year with new partner Nicolo Strano in the absence of Cabelletti.

Inaugural Bermuda Beach Tennis International winners Mingozzi and Marighella have dominated the sport lately and on current form are among the favourites heading into this year’s event to be held August 26-28 at the island’s signature beach. 

Tony Brannon, event co-founder and tournament director, said: “They are arguably the best pair in beach tennis in the world. They have done very well this year in Italy as well.

“We have a very strong field of players from Italy, Spain, France, Aruba, USA and Brazil.”

Non-discrimination

This year will see a new champion crowned in the professional women’s field as last year’s winners Federica Bacchetta and Veronica Visani are not back to defend their title.

Brannon added: “This is going to open it up for new winners this year and we really have a decent field of women players from Italy, Brazil and Bermuda and so it’s looking good.”

Carrying local hopes this year are Allison Towlson, Danielle Paynter, Liz Stewart and Erica Bove.

Professional players will compete for $10,000 in prize earnings, with $2,500 to go to the eventual men’s and women’s winners

The remaining prize money is to be shared between the second, third and fourth place professional men and women finishers.

Brannon stressed: “It’s all equal prize money across the board for men and women. We are not discriminating against the sexes.”

There is also a division for men and women amateur players who will also compete in a mixed- doubles event.

Unlike conventional tennis, beach tennis is played with a paddle and a decompressed ball that is not allowed to bounce.

Brannon said: “As soon as ball hits the sand the point is over”

All professional matches during this month’s tournament are to be played in accordance with ITF rules, with matches to be decided by best of three sets.

This year will see Bermuda Volleyball Association stage the Spike-Fest Beach Volleyball Tournament to run in conjunction with the Bermuda Beach Tennis International at Horseshoe Bay.

Brannon said: “The Bermuda Department of Tourism have been very supportive of this event for the last two years, and this year we are actually having a combined beach sport weekend.

Smash

“The Bermuda Volleyball Association are having a big tournament and we are having them side-by-side with the Bermuda Beach Tennis International.

“The Bermuda Department of Tourism has given it a title called ‘Bermuda Beach Smash 2011’, which is a good title combining the two sports.”

Alistair Williams, who heads up the ITF’s beach tennis division, will also be in attendance at the upcoming sports event.