Spain and Serbia have won the 2014 18 & Under European Summer Cups titles after both teams scored commanding victories on the final day of the competition.
Pedro Martinez Portero gave the top seeded Spaniards an early lead at the boys’ finals in Venice (ITA), surviving a close first set before accelerating away from Poland’s Hubert Kurkacz 7-6(4) 6-2. Junior world #5 and former Tennis Europe Junior Masters champion Jaume Munar Clar then won the battle of the teams’ top players against Kamil Majchrzak by an almost identical score to secure the trophy, 7-6(4) 6-3.
The win is Spain’s first at the Galea/Valerio Cup since 2003, and tenth overall.
At the final rounds of the Soisbault/Reina Cup in Granville (FRA), Serbia won two tight singles matches against Romania to claim the girls’ championship for the first time in the 49-year history of the event.
Nina Stojanovic opened the tie with a morale-boosting win for third-seeded Serbia, coming back from the brink of defeat to Ioana Ducu to emerge a 4-6 7-6(2) 6-1 winner. Junior world #1 Ivana Jorovic then overcame Ioana Loredana Rosca 6-2 3-6 6-3 to put the tie out of reach of the Romanians.
Both teams had reached the final after scoring upsets; Romania ended the hopes of top seeds Czech Republic in the quarterfinals and fourth seeds Slovakia in the semis, while Serbia had beaten defending champions Italy before ending Hungary’s hopes of a sweep of 16 and 18 & Under girls’ titles.
Russia beat Belarus 2/1 to claim the bronze medal in the boys’ competition, while Slovakia beat Hungary to claim the girls’ bronze. A total of 48 nations took part in the competition, which took place at ten European venues.
18 & Under Boys - Valerio/Galea Cup
Draw | Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Photos
Final Standings:
1. Spain
2. Poland
3. France
4. Germany
5. Czech Republic
6. Romania
7. Slovakia
8. Great Britain
18 & Under Girls - Soisbault/Reina Cup
Draw | Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Photos
Final Standings:
1. Serbia
2. Romania
3. Slovakia
4. Hungary
5. Spain
6. Belarus
7. Czech Republic
8. Italy