Maltese tennis star Francesca Curmi’s remarkable journey at the Madeira Ladies Open came to an unfortunate end on Sunday as she was forced to retire in the final against Belarusian Kristina Dmitruk. Curmi retired due to a right shoulder injury.
The Maltese tennis player currently ranked 417th by the WTA, was on a sensational run, battling her way through a tough draw to reach the championship match in the Funchal tournament in Madiera Portugal.
Curmi, the rising star of Maltese tennis, displayed incredible grit throughout the tournament, defeating higher-ranked opponents on her way to the final. The 21-year-old overcame a challenging semi-final against Britain’s Jodie Burrage, ranked 295th, in a dramatic comeback. After losing the first set 4-6, Curmi found her rhythm to take the next two sets 7-5 and 6-1, securing her spot in the final against Dmitruk.
The road to the final was anything but easy for Curmi, who showcased her resilience and determination by beating France’s Yasmine Mansouri (WTA 322) and Ukraine’s Daria Snigur (WTA 144) in the earlier rounds. Her impressive performance in Madeira had given hope for a strong finish, as she prepared to face Dmitruk, who was ranked 347th.
However, the final did not unfold as Curmi had hoped. After a bright start, the Maltese player trailed in both sets 6-1, 3-2 when she was forced to withdraw due to a shoulder injury. The abrupt end was not what was expected by Curmi, who had shown immense potential and fight throughout the week.
Despite the anticlimactic finish, Curmi’s performance in Madeira has been a testament to her growing talent and determination. The 21-year-old’s efforts on the court have brought her closer to breaking into the higher echelons of women’s tennis, and her fighting spirit has earned her recognition beyond her home country.
Curmi’s run in Funchal will undoubtedly serve as a confidence boost for the rest of the season, even if the ending was not what she had envisioned. Her victories against higher-ranked opponents, especially her dramatic comeback against Burrage in the semi-finals, have proven that she can hold her own against tough competition.
