 Photographer: Daniel Maurer
Date: 02 Aug 2004 |  Photographer: Daniel Maurer
Date: 02 Aug 2004 |  Photographer: Daniel Maurer
Date: 02 Aug 2004 |  Photographer: Daniel Maurer
Date: 02 Aug 2004 |  Photographer: Daniel Maurer
Date: 02 Aug 2004 |  Photographer: Daniel Maurer
Date: 02 Aug 2004 |
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| 02 Aug 2004 - TK Prostejov, Czech Republic - Neil Robinson | |
| Czechs Spring Surprise On Opening Day |
The Czech Republic boys’ team produced the biggest upset of the first day when they defeated second seeds Australia 2-1 in a high quality match.
Playing in front of their home supporters on the Centre Court of TK Prostejov, Jan Trocil defeated Jared Easton 63 63, before Australian No.1 Andrew Thomas levelled the tie with a 64 63 over his Czech counterpart, Emanuel Rehola 64 63. In an exciting doubles match, the Czechs edged the first set only for the Australians to claim a tight second set to set up a tense finish. The Czechs regrouped and were soon in a 5-1 lead, only to be broken when serving for the match. Australia’s respite was short-lived, however, as the Czech team broke straight back to take the tie.
The day had begun on a spectacular note as three parachutists, amongst the world’s best in that field, delivered the Czech flag and a bottle of champagne to Court One to officially open proceedings in front of an awe-struck crowd and the thirty two teams, in their national tracksuits.
France, seeded one, and Italy, the fourth seeds, had straightforward wins over Korea and South Africa respectively but the USA was forced into a decisive doubles rubber before securing a 2-1 victory over Argentina. In the other upset of the day Thailand proved too strong for Brazil, winning 3-0.
The Australian girls’ team looked to be on the road to the same fate as their boys’ team but a heroic comeback by Tyra Calderwood in the second singles rubber levelled the tie. She then combined with Bridget Healy for an emphatic doubles victory to take the honours for Australia.
Top seeds Slovak Republic routed Egypt and the USA comfortably took care of Indonesia in their opening round-robin matches in the girls’ competition. Defending champions Czech Republic, seeded four, battled to victory over Russia in a match which swung both ways.
The Czechs captured the opening singles rubber and quickly went a set up in the second before the Russian No.1, Ksenia Pervak fought back for a three-set victory.Petra Mokra and Andrea Berkova took the first set of the deciding doubles 6-1 and then reversed a 5-1 deficit in the second set to wrap up the tie.
The only upset in the girls’ competition saw Peru reverse the result of the Regional Qualifying competition when defeating fifth seeds Argentina; Peru's No.1, Claudia Razzeto saving five match points to keep her country in the tie.
Full results can be viewed on the attached pdf.
Related Articles
> Draw Ceremony Takes Place For 2004 World Junior Tennis Final
> Prostejov Promises Exciting Week
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