The girls from the Czech Republic and the Italian boys have won this year's edition of the European Summer Cups. It's the fifth trophy for the Italian boys, while the girls claimed the seventh title for the Czech Republic (plus four previous wins as Czechoslovakia).
Upsets/Highlights
➝ B16: Second seeded Greece was upset by an unseeded French team in the first round of Zone C qualifying. Andreas Messis, holder of two TEJT titles and number 3 in the Race earlier in the season, and Stefanos Pournaropoulous lost their singles before France won the doubles to seal the deal 3-0
➝B16: Portugal, although unseeded, did not pick Race frontrunner Joao Morgado to play in the singles matches against Spain and thus lost both singles rubbers to their Iberian cousins in round 2 of Zone D qualifying. Morgado was slated to play the doubles, but the dead rubber was forfeited by Spain, as they advanced 2-1 winners.
➝G16: Katarina Kujovic (273) fell to Eleejah Inisan (83) then Jeline Vandromme (33) took out Daphnee Mpetshi Perricard (24) to even it up for the Belgians. The four returned to the court and it was the Belgians who outplayed their neighbours in the deciding doubles rubber of the opening round of Zone B qualifying.
Borotra Cup: Boys’ Final
CZECH REPUBLIC vs ITALY - Le Touquet, France
After claiming the silver medal last year, Italy is taking home the gold this time. The first match of the day between Andrea de Marchi (ITA) and Jan Kumstat (CZE) started in favor of the Czech player, yet the Italian managed to turn the game around to his advantage, ultimately winning with a score of 1-6, 6-4, 6-3. As for his compatriot Federico Cina, who had faced Czech Maxim Mrva five times before, he secured victory in straight sets with a score of 6-4, 6-4. While the Czech Republic claimed the title two years ago, Italy hadn't won it since 2012.
Italy's Road to the final:
Qualifying Rounds: def Serbia 3-0; def Finland 3-0; def Romania 2-1
Final Rounds: QF def Croatia 3-0; SF def Germany 2-1
Girls’ Final
CZECH REPUBLIC vs GREAT BRITAIN - Marianske Lazne, Czech Republic
With Alena Kovackova (#6), Laura Samsonova (#7), and Eliska Forejtkova (#13) representing the country, the others might have had reason to fear the Czech squad – and for good reason. They advanced to today’s final with only one lost match during the qualifying rounds. Today, Laura Samsonova strengthened her team's advantage by swiftly defeating Hannah Klugman (GBR) with a score of 6-4, 6-2. Samsonova then handed over the reins to Kovackova, who delivered a strong performance and secured a 6-1, 6-3 victory against Mingge Xu. The Czech Republic is enjoying a stroke of luck with three consecutive gold medals at the Summer Cups.
Czech Republic's Road to the final
Qualifying Rounds: Bye; def Bulgaria 3-0; def Germany 2-1
Final Rounds: QF def Latvia 2-0; SF def Sweden 3-0
Junior Davis Cup & Junior Billie Jean King Cup by Gainbridge Finals
The Top five 16 & Under teams at the final rounds (plus hosts Spain) will qualify to compete at the Junior Davis Cup (Boys) & Junior Billie Jean King Cup (Girls) finals in Cordoba (ESP) later this year. Here are the final standings, with the qualified nations in Bold:
Boys:
- Italy
- Czech Republic
- Germany
- Netherlands
- Spain
- Great Britain
- Romania
- Croatia
Girls:
- Czech Republic
- Great Britain
- Sweden
- Serbia
- Latvia
- Germany
- Belgium
- Hungary
For complete results, photos and more click here.