Sweden’s girls’ team and the Swiss boys’ team have created history, with both nations scoring their first ever 16&U Winter Cups by Dunlop trophies.
In a historic moment for Swedish junior tennis, it is the first victory for a Swedish girls’ team in any Winter Cups event, be it 12 or 14 or 16 and Under. They took out hosts France 2-1 in the final. The Swiss boys also scored a 2-1 win over France in the final and can add this title to the 1993 triumph of their 14&U boys’ Winter Cups team. It was a bittersweet ending for France, who were gracious hosts and despite the home-court advantage and high hopes, fell short at the last hurdle in both finals in what was a formidable campaign, nonetheless.
HEADLINES
- Sweden’s girls’ team reached the final for the first time since 1998 when they were runners-up, the only other time they have appeared in a final.
- The last time the Swiss boys were in a 16&U final was all the way back in 1987.
- Czechia were the two-time defending boys’ champions and also the girls’ defending champions: in Zone C qualifying, the Czech boys’ team failed to make the final rounds, falling to the eventual champions in round two.
- Flynn Thomas (SUI), pivotal in the doubles finals, adds another important doubles trophy to his cabinet to accompany his doubles gold medal won at last year’s 16&U European Junior Championships (with Henry Bernet)
GIRLS’ FINAL
(Brest, FRA)
Sweden def France 2-1
France’s Road to the Final
Zone A Qualifying Rounds: R1 def Cyprus 3-0; R2 def Croatia 3-0; Qualifying Final def Türkiye 2-1
Final Rounds: QF def Bulgaria 3-0; SF def Germany 3-0
Sweden’s Road to the Final
Zone B Qualifying Rounds: R1 def Lithuania 3-0; R2 def Finland 3-0; Qualifying Final def Germany 2-1
Final Rounds: QF def Poland 2-1; SF def Spain 3-0
- Tiana Tian Deng put the Swedes ahead with a straight-sets 6-3 6-1 win over Eleejah Inisan.
- In a thrilling contest for survival, four-time finalist on the TEJT Daphnee Mpetshi Perricard pipped Lea Nilsson over the line for a 7-5 4-6 7-6(4) win to take the final to a deciding doubles rubber.
- After that see-sawing singles, all four players returned to court for the anti-climactic doubles decider. The Swedes were dominant, asserting their authority over the French girls from the outset, posting a 6-2 6-1 win.
Final Standings:
1. Sweden 2. France 3. Spain 4. Germany 5. Türkiye 6. Czechia 7. Poland 8. Bulgaria
BOYS’ FINAL
(Ronchin, FRA)
Switzerland def France 2-1
France’s Road to the Final
Zone B Qualifying Rounds: R1 def Hungary 3-0; R2 def Luxembourg 3-0; Qualifying Final def Germany 2-1
Final Rounds: QF def Spain 3-0; SF def Romania 3-0
Switzerland’s Road to the Final
Zone C Qualifying Rounds: R1 def Czechia 3-0; R2 def Israel 3-0; Qualifying Final def Romania 2-1
Final Rounds: QF def Germany 3-0; SF def Portugal 3-0
- Timeo Trufelli put the hosts up 1-0 after slogging it out with Thomas Gunzinger, taking the matches 6-4 1-6 6-4.
- Fifth-ranked Flynn Thomas took on TEJT number 28 Moise Kouame to try to level things up for the Swiss. And that he did, sending the final into a live doubles rubber with a 7-6(4) 6-1 win.
- Both French boys played in the doubles while Thomas paired with Mateo Fluri as they had for the two previous encounters in the final rounds. It was another success for the Swiss pair, nabbing both sets, and thus the title, by the slimmest of margins 7-5 7-6(3).
Final Standings:
1. Switzerland 2. France 3. Romania 4. Portugal 5. Poland 6. Slovenia 7. Spain 8. Germany
2024 WINTER CUPS: IT’S A WRAP
The boys’ 16&U doubles decider brought to an end what was a very eventful Winter Cups season for 2024. This weekend it was the turn of the 14&U and 16&U teams to bask in the spotlight, after the 12&U teams took centre stage last week in the finals in Sunderland.
Europe’s biggest indoor team tennis event was back in full swing this year, with all three age groups in action. In total this year the event hosted 366 players, representing 122 national teams and was played at 15 venues, with 6 different national teams taking the honours this year.
Click here for pictures and results.