Great Britain has won the 16 & Under Borotra Cup for the first time in the 37-year history of the event, thanks to a come-from-behind win against third seeds Italy in the final.
The experienced Gianluigi Quinzi – already a veteran of European team events and a former #1 at both 14 and 16 & Under levels - outlasted Evan Hoyt in three sets to give the Italians an early lead after a tight first match 7-6(3) 3-6 6-4.
Kyle Edmund stepped to survive a first set tie break to edge past Stefano Napolitano 7-6(5) 6-4 in the second rubber, a battle between the top-ranked players of each team. The win set up a deciding doubles match, for which Edmund returned to the court accompanied by Luke Bambridge, while Napolitano teamed up with Matteo Donati.
Having won the European Junior Championships together just ten days ago, the Italians looked to have the edge going into the doubles match. But after a close first set the Brits ran away with the tie break, winning it without conceding a single point. Capitalising on the momentum, the pair then broke twice in the second set to take the match – and the championship 7-6 6-3.
Coached by former world #4 Greg Rusedski, Great Britain’s 16 & Under boys have dominated the team competitions this year. The national side also claimed victory in the Tennis Europe Winter Cups by HEAD in February, with the team on that occasion consisting of different players (Billy Harris, Christopher Pearce and Jonny O’Mara). Rusedski told the LTA’s website, "I’m very proud of the boys, they fought from the first ball to the last. It’s all about belief; we’re starting to believe we can win against everybody."
"Now we’re looking forward to the Worlds, we have a great opportunity to win those, and if they keep on improving it looks great for British tennis."
The teams at the final rounds were crammed with many of the best players of the age group, including seven of the Tennis Europe Junior Tour Top 10, and the last three players to have been ranked at #1.
The semi final between France and Italy saw the hosts’ two year reign as champions come to end as the Italians won by the slimmest of margins, thanks in no small part to Napolitano’s three-set win over the new European Champion Enzo Couacaud in singles before he and Donati sealed a nail-biting doubles win over Couacuad and Alexandre Favrot.
The final ranking from Le Touquet is as follows. The event also serves as the European qualifying competition for the Junior Davis Cup by BNP Paribas. The top five teams (in bold) have clinched spots at the final rounds of the Junior Davis Cup in San Luis Potosi in Mexico in September.
Final Standings
-
GREAT BRITAIN
-
ITALY
-
FRANCE
-
ISRAEL
-
GERMANY
-
SERBIA
-
UKRAINE
-
AUSTRIA
Draws, Results & Photos
Qualifying
Zone A - Munich (GER) | Nominations | Draw | Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Photos
Belgium, Bulgaria, Germany, Netherlands, Moldova, Romania, Serbia, Sweden
Zone B - Arezzo (ITA) | Nominations | Draw | Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3
Croatia, Estonia, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Russia, Slovak Republic, Ukraine
Zone C - Wroclaw (POL) | Nominations | Draw | Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3
Belarus, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Israel, Poland
Zone D - Vinaròs (ESP) | Nominations | Draw | Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Photos
Austria, Great Britain, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain, Switzerland, Turkey
Finals - Le Touquet (FRA) | Nominations | Draw | Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Photos