The Czech Republic has made a clean sweep of this year’s 16 & Under Summer Cups as both the boys and the girls have scored stunning victories.
Both teams lived up to their top seedings and status as pre-tournament favourites, and were comprised of some of the most prolific recent Tennis Europe Junior Tour champions: Brenda Fruhvirtova, Nikola Bartunkova and Sarah Bejlek (girls); Vojtech Petr, Jakub Mensik and Jan Hrazdil (boys).
France’s boys team has won this age category more than any other and was hoping to make it three consecutive wins on home soil in Le Touquet, but the Czechs spoiled the party. In Ricany, the Czechs were able to turn the tables on Russia, exacting revenge for a defeat in the final of the most recent edition of the competition, in 2019.
Day 1 of the finals saw both of the Czech teams blast out of the blocks, scoring resounding victories in their opening matches. The boys blitzed Spain 3-0, while the girls posted the same score line against Ukraine.
The second day saw the teams again win their semi-final encounters by the same score line. The boys were made to fight against Germany, winning the decisive doubles rubber to take the tie 2-1. Meanwhile, the girls conquered Romania, surrendering the doubles encounter having already secured victory with wins in both singles rubbers.
In the girls final in Ricany, Bejlek got the Czechs off to a fantastic start in front of the appreciate home crowd with a 6-3 6-2 to win over Yaraslova Bartashevich. Bartunkova backed this up with a very hard-fought win over Elena Pridankina.
The expected doubles combination of Bejlek-Fruhvirtova proved unnecessary, as the Czechs gave a walk over to Bartashevich and Anastasiia Gureva with victory already secured. The win marks a first title for the team since 2015, and fourth in total (8 including titles won as part of Czechoslovakia).
Over in France, the home supporters could not lift Gabriel Debru, as he went down 6-4 6-4 to Mensik (pictured) in the first rubber. As in the girls’ second rubber, Petr had his work cut out for him, but eventually outdid Antoine Ghibaudo in a thriller. The 2019 European 14 & Under champion came back from the brink of defeat to eventually seal victory for the visitors, 3-6 7-6 7-5.
This was the third final appearance for the Czech boys from the last five editions, and marks a third title overall, adding to wins in 1999 and 2017 (plus two titles with Czechoslovakia).
Also on the final day, Romania beat Hungary (girls) and Germany defeated Bulgaria (boys) for the bronze medals.
The Top 5 teams will join hosts Turkey in qualifying for the Junior Davis Cup and Junior Billie Jean King Cup by BNP Paribas in Antalya next month.
Final Standings
Girls
1. Czech Republic
2. Russia
3. Romania
4. Hungary
5. Germany
6. Ukraine
7. Italy
8. Spain
Boys
1. Czech Republic
2. France
3. Germany
4. Bulgaria
5. Russia
6. Poland
7. Spain
8. Belgium