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Italians crowned Beach Tennis champs

Alex Mingozzi serves to Michele Folegatti and Vini Font looked on by team-mate Alessandro Calbucci during the pro men's final at the 6th Annual ITF Bermuda Beach Tennis International Tournament held at Horseshoe Bay Beach.(Photo by Mark Tatem)

Italian pair Alex Mingozzi and Niccolo Strano were crowned the 2013 ITF Bermuda Beach Tennis International Tournament champions at Horseshoe Bay Beach on Sunday.In wet conditions, Mingozzi and Strano won the men’s pro division 6-0, 6-0 over Vini Font of Brazil and Italy’s Michele Folegatti.The triumph was Mingozzi’s fourth on local sand in the six years the tournament has been running, and avenged last year’s finals loss.The ladies pro event saw the Brazilian pair of Joanna Cortez and Samantha Barijan win their first Bermuda title on their second trip to the Island.Barijan and Cortez defeated Federica Bacchetta and Patricia Diaz in a thrilling three-setter, 5-7, 6-3, 6-4.In the men’s amateur division, Mike Toyer and Andre Moolman beat Dean Mello and James Finnigan, while Liz Stewart and Jane Lau defeated Kim and Amanda Burns in the ladies amateur division.Stewart completed her personal double in the mixed amateur division, teaming up with Dave Jenkins to emerge as champions after they defeated Mello and Christine Junneman.“We saw Alex Mingozzi from Italy, a six-time visitor to Bermuda, win his fourth Bermuda Pro event with a new partner Niccolo Strano,” said co-founder Tony Brannon.“The field included players from the French Reunion Islands, Venezuela, USA, Italy and, of course, Bermuda.“Most improved Bermuda player was 15-year-old James Finnigan.“We would like to thank our sponsors, the Bermuda Department of Tourism, Fairmont Hotels, BGA, Ace Group of Companies, Goslings and Jim Butterfield.“In addition the volunteers really helped to make the tournament run smoothly.“The Tourism Minister Shawn Crockwell presented the prizes, and we hope to see a bigger field in Bermuda in 2014.”