Andrei Radu (ROU) and Jana Kovackova (CZE) secured their first Tennis Europe titles of the year at the Super Category event in Stockholm, Kungens Kanna & Drottningens Pris. It was a particularly impressive week for Kovackova, who not only clinched the singles title but also triumphed in doubles with compatriot Katerina Zajickova.
The Super Category tournament stands out as one of the most prestigious - and traditional - on the Junior Tour calendar and is highly cherished by players from all over the world. Following the qualifying finals, the juniors were granted the opportunity to engage in a Tennis Europe Junior School session, led by Tennis Europe CEO Thomas Hammerl. During this session, he introduced the latest topic related to coaching and provided insights into do’s and don'ts on Social Media. Additionally, the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) Education Team was present, addressing matters concerning 'Anti-Doping & Anti-Corruption'.
Mirroring the All-England Club at Wimbledon, the event has its own “Last 8 Club”. The singles quarterfinalists were welcomed into this exclusive group, receiving traditional t-shirts as they etched their names into the history books. Now part of the club is also the 12-year-old Darina Matvejeva from Latvia who recently won a 14 & Under event in January and was given a wildcard for Stockholm.
Boys Last 8
Richard Krizan [1] (SVK) vs. Andrei Radu [7] (ROU)
Erikas Maskolaitis (LTU) vs. Sebastian Tejerina (AUT)
Johann Nagel-Heyer [6] (GER) vs. Nikita Berdin
Callum Mackinnon (CAN) vs. Pavel Oliver Duffek [2] (CZE)
Girls Last 8
Jana Kovackova [1] (CZE) vs. Polina Skliar [9] (UKR)
Megan Knight (GBR) vs. Tea Kovacevic [11] (BIH)
Xinran Sun (CHN) vs. Darina Matvejeva (LAT)
Sophie Triquart (GER) vs. Daniel Baranes (ISR)
Finals
Andrei Radu had an impressive week in Stockholm, upsetting several top seeds on his way to the final, including the first seed, Richard Krizan (SVK), in the quarterfinals 6-3 2-6 6-1. In the final the Romanian faced Johann Nagel-Heyer (GER) in an intense first set but swiftly sealed the deal in the second set, securing a 7-5 6-0 victory. Radu’s the first Romanian player to ever win this prestigious competition.
Jana Kovackova, the 2023 Junior Masters Champion, reached the final without dropping more than four games in any match. Her opponent in the final, Xinran Sun (CHN), also breezed through the tournament, attempting to add another title to her collection after winning Tim Essonne last week. However, the Czech player remained focused and claimed victory with a decisive score of 6-3, 6-2.
Boys Doubles
Patrick Breen (IRL) & Eric Lorimer (GBR) def. Plamen Kolev & Dimitar Topchiyski (BUL) 7-5 6-0
Girls Doubles
Jana Kovackova & Katerina Zajickova (CZE) def. Polina Skliar (UKR) & Aleksandra Zaplawa (POL) 6-2 6-3
Elsewhere on the Junior Tour this week:
- Ameliia Kononenko won her first 14 & Under title at the Ahmet Erguden Cup in Antalya
- Marcel Jelinek (AUT) claimed his first title of the year at Bad Waltersdorf, facing four out of five top seeds along the way
- In Stavanger, Norway, two Czech players left with the big trophies – Kristian Simek and Veronika Navratilova
- Oliwia Kadzielska (POL) upset first seed Aliaksandra Tryhubkina to secure her first-ever Tennis Europe title
For full results and draws from these and all the week’s other events,click here.