 Photographer: Daniel Maurer
Date: 04 Aug 2004 |  Photographer: Daniel Maurer
Date: 04 Aug 2004 |  Photographer: Daniel Maurer
Date: 04 Aug 2004 |  Photographer: Daniel Maurer
Date: 04 Aug 2004 |  Photographer: Daniel Maurer
Date: 04 Aug 2004 |  Photographer: Daniel Maurer
Date: 04 Aug 2004 |
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| 04 Aug 2004 - TK Prostejov, Czech Republic - Neil Robinson | |
| Great Britain Stuns France To Reach Last Four |
Great Britain’s boys’ team produced some excellent tennis to defeat top seed France and advance to the semifinals of 2004 World Junior Tennis in Prostejov, Czech Republic, along with the hosts, Thailand and Italy. The girls’ final four is made up of the Czech Republic, Belarus, Austria and Slovak Republic.
France, fielding the European 14 & under champion and runner-up, were stunned by some great play from the British boys on Centre Court in the singles’ rubbers. Lewis Barnes quickly pocketed the first set against Nassim Slilam 6-2 and then recovered an early break in the second set to take it to a tiebreak, following seven successive breaks of serve, which he took by seven points to five.
British No.1 Daniel Cox, whose rackets only arrived in Prostejov on the opening day of competition after going astray on the outbound journey, reeled off six games in succession to take the first set against Jerome Inzerillo and served for the match at 5-3. Inzerillo played some inspired tennis to break and with his opponent receiving medical treatment for a minor foot injury, went on to level at 5-5. When he then led 6-4 in the ensuing tiebreak, the match looked destined for a third set. Cox, however, fought back to take the remaining four points and put Great Britain into the semifinals. France won the doubles to make the overall score 2-1.
Court 8 witnessed a battle royale between Italy and Croatia to take first place in Group Three and a semifinal place. Silvio Dadic, of Croatia and Daniele Piludu, of Italy maintained their unbeaten records by winning the No.2 and No.1 singles respectively. Dadic recovered from 3-5 down in the first set to beat Davide Della Tommasina 75 62 while Piludu edged a tight first set before running out a 75 61 victor over Luka Somen.
Croatia was quick off the mark in the doubles, taking the first set 6-1 in just over 20 minutes but the Italians broke at the start of the second set, only to see this immediately cancelled out by the Croatians. Italy broke again in the fifth game and held on to take the set. After holding a long fourth game in the final set, Della Tommasina and Piludu secured a 16 64 62 victory.
Italy will play on Thursday against hosts, the Czech Republic, who scored their third group win with a 3-0 victory over Egypt
Argentina’s valiant 2-1 victory over Thailand was not enough to prevent the Thai boys advancing to the last four from Group Two, due to a superior number of matches won. Thailand will face Great Britain on Thursday in their first-ever World Junior Tennis semifinal.
In the girls’ competition, Belarus disposed of third seeds Australia to reach the girls’ semifinals of World Junior Tennis for the first time. Ima Bohush produced a dominant display to put her team in the lead, defeating Bridget Healy 60 62 in just over an hour. Tyra Calderwood battled hard to keep the tie alive but was unable to prevent Ksenia Milevskaya collecting her third win of the week. A long first set was eventually decided on a tiebreak before the Belarussian surged to a 76(4) 61 victory and claim their place in the semifinals. Australia emphatically won the doubles for a final 2-1 scoreline.
Austria had already wrapped up their tie with Indonesia by winning both singles’ rubbers but had to wait for the USA to beat Italy in a deciding doubles rubber before their place in the last four, like Belarus, for the first time, was confirmed.
Melanie Klaffner overcame some stubborn resistance to beat Luftiana Budiharto 61 75 before Nikola Hofmanova thrashed Jessy Rompies 61 60 to put Austria through, courtesy of their victory over the Americans on Tuesday.
Top seeds Slovak Republic also advanced to the last four with a 2-1 victory over Mexico. Kristina Kucova put the Slovaks ahead with a comprehensive 61 61 victory over Maria Bayon but Valeria Pulido maintained her unbeaten record by defeating Slovak No.1, Klaudia Boczova 46 61 62 to bring the Mexicans level. The Slovak girls’ took control of the doubles and claimed the tie with a 61 75 victory.
The Czech Republic, already assured of their semifinal place defeated Argentina 2-1.
Full results, final group standings and the line-up for the play-offs can be seen in the attached pdf.
Related Articles
> Surprises Continue At World Junior Tennis Final
> Czechs Spring Surprise On Opening Day
> Draw Ceremony Takes Place For 2004 World Junior Tennis Final
> Prostejov Promises Exciting Week
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