Poland and Austria have advanced to the final rounds of the Girls 16 & Under Tennis Europe Summer Cups after a hard fought battle on the final day of qualifying in Hamburg, Germany. | 📸 Photos
Eight teams were in action at the European Junior Team Championship event, which was held alongside the WTA 250 MSC Hamburg tournament, offering the players a valuable opportunity to compete in front of an appreciative public and alongside top professionals and former Summer Cups stars.
While second-seeded Austria advanced to the final without dropping a set, top-seeded Poland had a slightly tougher path. In their semifinal against Germany, both Barbara Kostecka and Oliwia Sybicka faced a series of challenges, from rain delays to last-minute court changes and comebacks from their opponents.
The final kicked off with a match between Barbara Kostecka and Lea Haider-Maurer. Kostecka dominated the first set and held a 5-3 lead in the second, but the Austrian fought back to level the score at 5-5, threatening to push the match into a decider. Still, Kostecka held her nerve and secured the win 6-2 7-5. Next up, Oliwia Sybicka faced Anna Pircher, who came out with fierce determination to keep Austria in the game. Pircher won the match 6-3 6-1, and so leveled the overall score.
The final match was anything but predictable. In the first set, the Polish duo covered every part of the court, leaving no room for error and won it 6-2. But the momentum shifted in the second set, with Haider-Maurer and Pircher stepping up and claiming it 6-1. Sybicka and Kostecka, however, regrouped just in time, shaking off their nerves to take the match tiebreak 10-3.
Stephanie Kamberi, Head of Junior Tennis said, “We’d like to thank the German Tennis Federation and Matchmaker Sports particularly tournament director Sandra Reichel for all their efforts in hosting the Summer Cups here in Hamburg. For the players and coaches involved it’s a thrill and inspiration to train and play at such a prestigious venue in sight of their heroes and role models.”
The event marks the third time this year that Junior Tour players have had the opportunity to compete at high level pro events. The ATP/WTA 1000 series tournament in Rome also hosted a 16 & Under Super Category tournament, while several Junior Tour players from the grass court Category 1 event at Raynes Park in London were invited to compete at the 14 & Under Invitational tournament held during the Wimbledon Championships.
The Summer Cups – Europe’s largest junior team competition - continue next week with the 12 & Under qualifying event. The remaining 16 and 18 & Under qualifying ties will be played from 30th July-1st August. The 16 & Under event also serves as the regional qualifying competition for the Junior Davis and Billie Jean King Cups. Check here for full information.
Elsewhere on the Junior Tour
Another highlight on the Tour this week was the celebration of the 35th edition of the Open Stade Français, a Category 1 14 & Under event in Paris, the finals of which are played on the prestigious clay courts of Roland Garros.
The winners were Ekaterina Dotsenko and Ignacio Mejias of Venenzuela. Dotsenko breezed through the final, defeating second seed Zeliha Nil Çukurluoğlu (TUR) 6-1 6-1. Mejias was crowned champion after his win over Italy’s Giulio Bozzanga. This marks his first TEJT trophy, having competed in only two tournaments on the Tour so far: Les Petits As and here (plus last week's Wimbledon Invitational).
Tennis Europe President Henrik Thorsøe Pedersen was among the guests during the event, and commented, “This is one of the most international events on the Junior Tour with players from over 50 nations in action. It’s a thrill to see young athletes from all the regions interacting and clearly motivated to compete on the courts of Roland Garros. Thanks to Mr. Laurent and his team for so many years of dedication to making this such a special event, and also to the French Tennis Federation for its firm commitment to junior tennis.”
Europe’s best players of the age group are now gearing up to compete at the European Junior Championships in Most (CZE), which gets underway tomorrow.