Tennis Europe Nations Challenge by HEAD

2010 Tennis Europe Nations Challenge by HEAD

France went one better than last year's runner-up spot to clinch the Tennis Europe Nations Challenge by HEAD title, surviving a fight back from Russia on the final day of action at Europe's team championships for Under 12s in Alghero, Italy.

The two teams were level after the singles matches with Olivier Wolfgang putting the French ahead with a 6-3 6-0 win over Arten Dubrivnyy before Dmitry Shatalin levelled the tie with an equally authoritative 6-3 6-1 defeat of Geoffrey Blancaneaux in a match between two of the most successful players of the season so far on the 12 & Under Tennis Europe Junior Tour.

After a rest, the four players returned to the court for the deciding doubles match. The French pair almost let a match-winning lead slip in the second set but rallied to win 6-2 6-7(3) 6-3 and wrap up the title for the second time in four years.

At the girl's finals in Ajaccio (FRA), Russia also won their second title at the event, brushing past two-time defending champions Ukraine.

In a reversal of last year's final result, Russia took the lead thanks to a 6-4 7-6(3) win for Yulia Bryzgalova over Stephanie Light Deh. Aleksandra Pospelova then sealed the trophy with a tough win, coming from a set down to outlast Olga Fridman 4-6 7-5 6-0 in just under two and half hours of play.

The Russians then added the dead doubles match to complete a 3-0 win as Sofya Zhuk joined Bryzgalova for a 7-5 6-4 win over Light Deh and Natalya Malenko.

Both Russia and Ukraine now have two titles each from the four editions of Europe's Under 12 team championships. In total, 63 national teams took part in 2010.

Documents

Boys Team Nominations (Final rounds) | Girls Team Nominations (Final rounds)

Boys Fact Sheets | Girls Fact Sheets