Russia has won two out of the four events at the 16 and 18 & Under European Summer Cups finals. The powerhouse tennis nation was victor in both girls’ categories. Hosts France won the boys’ 18 & Under championship, while the boys’ 16 & Under trophy was taken home by the Czech Republic.
Russia, France and Italy highlighted their might and power, being the only nations represented in all four events in both the boys’ and girls’ 16 and 18 & under finals. Their strength was further displayed by having at least two of those nations, if not all three, placed in the top four in the final standings in three of the four events.
Girls’ 18 & Under - Granville, France
Finalists: Belarus, Czech Republic (3), Great Britain, Italy, Poland (2), Romania, Russia (1), Spain (4)
Russia came out on top again this year to claim their third win in a row, and seventh overall, in this event. They came through to the final stage with a win in all ties and only giving up two rubbers. Elena Rybakina was instrumental for the Russian team, winning all her singles rubbers as well as doubles, partnering Anastasia Kharitonova. Trouncing Romania in the first round 3-0, and with a 2-1 win in the semi-finals over the Czech Republic, the Russian team met the Italians in the final. They had come through in a sensational form, overcoming Spain and then Belarus without dropping a match in either tie. The final went the way of the Russians, claiming victory 2 to 1, and leaving the Czech Republic to overpower Belarus in the playoffs for third and fourth place.
Final Standings:
Gold: Russia
Silver: Italy
Bronze: Czech Republic
Draw | Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Photos
Boys’ 18 & Under - La Rochelle, France
Finalists: Belgium, Czech Republic, France (1) , Great Britain (3), Hungary, Italy (4), Portugal, Russia (2)
France has won their fifth title, overcoming Russia in a tight 2-1 tussle, having earlier defeated both Portugal and Belgium 3-0 to progress comfortably to the final. Russia’s approach to the final was not much more difficult. An early win over Hungary 3-0 was followed by a 2-1 defeat of Great Britain. In the final, Artem Dubrivny defeated Matteo Martineau to put Russia ahead, but Corentin Moutet got the French even at 1-1 with his own straights sets win over Alexey Zakharov. As the four players stepped back on court for the deciding doubles, it was the French who were able to assert their dominance and prevail yet again in straight sets. Belgium defeated Britain 2-0 in the playoffs for the bronze medals.
Final Standings:
Gold: France
Silver: Russia
Bronze: Belgium
Draw | Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3
Girls’ 16 & Under - Budapest, Hungary
Finalists: Belarus, France (3), Greece, Hungary (4), Italy (2), Russia (1), Sweden, Ukraine
In one of the few draws that fell into place for the seeded teams, we saw the top four face off in the semi-finals, with Russia defeating Hungary 3-0 in the first semi-final, and France overcoming Italy and the second by the same score line. The final was locked at 1-1 after Clara Burel defeated Kamilla Rakhimova in a gruelling three-set win. Then number 10 ranked Daria Frayman made light work of Yasmine Mansouri to make things even. The Russians then combined for a straight sets win over the French in the doubles to claim their second win in a row in the event, and their sixth since 2009. This left Italy to do battle with and defeat Hungary for third place.
Final Standings:
Gold: Russia
Silver: France
Bronze: Italy
Draw | Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Photos
Boys’ 16 & Under - Le Touquet, France
Finalists: Belgium, Croatia, Czech Republic, France (4), Italy (2), Romania (1), Russia (3), Spain
This was a draw full of upsets, as the number one seeds Romania were taken out in the first round by the eventual champions. Likewise, the third seeded Russians, followed by the second seeded Italians were defeated by Croatia, thus producing a final between two unseeded nations. Jonas Forejtek and fourth-ranked Dalibor Svrcina put the Czechs up 2-0 after posting wins in their singles matches. Forejtek then teamed up with Jiri Lehecka for a 10-5 championship tiebreak win over Roko Horvat and Admir Kalender to seal a 3-0 win for the Czech team. After being relegated to being runners-up in 2003, 2009 and then again last year, this has been a long-awaited return to victory for the Czechs, having last won this event in 1999. There was some consolation for the second seeds, as they claimed third place in the playoffs.
Final Standings
Gold: Czech Republic
Silver: Croatia
Bronze: Italy
Draw | Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Photos
A total of 96 national teams of players had earlier taken part in the qualifying rounds of Europe’s outdoor team events. The 16 & Under European Summer Cups also serve as the regional qualifying competition for the Junior Davis & Fed Cup by BNP Paribas, with the top five teams due to join hosts Hungary at the final rounds in Budapest next month.