World champions Alex Mingozzi and Matteo Marighella showed just why they are the best , successfully defending their Bermuda Beach Tennis title at Horseshoe Bay Beach on Saturday.

The pair saw off fellow Italians and former world champions Emanuele Bianchedi and Maurizio Di Cori in the final, 6-2,6-3 to lay claim to their second successive Bermuda title.

In the semi-finals, Mingozzi and Marighella defeated Frenchmen Bertrand Coulet and Stephane Retali 6-1, 6-1, while Bianchedi and Di Cori defeated another Italian duo, Gianluca Chirico and Massimo Mattei 6-2, 6-3.

With the weather less than ideal, several first round matches were postponed. Yet the rain didn't stop the Italian contingent from setting the beach ablaze with Chirico and Mattei rounding out the top three and ensuring an all-Italian podium finish.

Local organisers Tony Brannon and Mark Cordeiro were pleased with the weekend, despite the weather.

"The weather was somewhat overcast, so the foot traffic on the beach was not what we expected," said Brannon. "What we did have was a great event and we saw some quality players come here to compete.

"We are grateful to all our sponsors without whom the event would not have been possible.

"The crowd saw Alex Mingozzi and Matteo Marighella defend their title with an exciting and convincing win over Emanuele Bianchedi and Mauizio Di Cori."

The ladies' champions were Silvia Zanuttini and Anna Retali who saw off a spirited challenge from Bermuda's Susie Mills and Liz Stewart in a nailbiting final that was decided in a tie-beak.

Stuart White and Neil Churchill won the amateur Men's Doubles while Retali completed her 'double' after she combined with Stephane Retali to hoist the Mixed Doubles title.

Sunday also saw local kids put through their paces with the professionals running a free clinic.

Brannon has now called for a home for beach tennis with the sport growing in size and popularity worldwide.

One plus for the move would be extra income for hotels and those involved, said Brannon, who noted that Aruba had permanent courts with lights for use at anytime.

"What we really need in Bermuda is a permanent home for beach tennis where people can come and play anytime – ideally at a resort hotel where we can offer the beach sport to our visitors and locals alike," said Brannon.

"Our friends in Aruba have two permanent courts next to the Marriott Hotel and a beach bar and the courts are lighted for evening play.

"Having a permanent home could bring the sport to the next level and could also generate extra income for a hotel with bar and food sales.

"The ideal hotels for this would be the Fairmont Southampton, Elbow Beach and Tucker's Point.

"Of course, the public beaches could also be a spot for beach sports and Mark and I would welcome anyone interested in offering beach tennis at their hotel to contact us."

"Beach tennis courts are similar to those in beach volleyball, so the two sports could even be combined as the only thing that happens is you raise the net for beach volleyball."