 Photographer: Susan Mullane
Date: 03 Oct 2009 |  Photographer: Susan Mullane
Date: 03 Oct 2009 |  Photographer: Susan Mullane
Date: 03 Oct 2009 |  Photographer: Susan Mullane
Date: 03 Oct 2009 |  Photographer: Susan Mullane
Date: 03 Oct 2009 |  Photographer: Susan Mullane
Date: 03 Oct 2009 |  Photographer: Susan Mullane
Date: 03 Oct 2009 |  Photographer: Susan Mullane
Date: 03 Oct 2009 |  Photographer: Susan Mullane
Date: 03 Oct 2009 |  Photographer: Susan Mullane
Date: 03 Oct 2009 |
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| 03 Oct 2009 - San Luis Potosí, México - Mónica E Rojo |  Related Audio |
| Brits, Aussies, Russians & Germans to the Final |
 Interview with Stephanie Wagner (GER) (MP3 format)
Interview with Knesia Kirillova (RUS) (MP3 format)
 
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After a night of thunderstorms and heavy rain in San Luis Potosí, in the heart of México, the sunrise brought a deep blue sky and glorious sunshine for the Junior Fed Cup and Junior Davis Cup by BNP Paribas semifinals. The weather forecast until the end of the event is generally good: sunny and dry, with some rain intervals. The temperature in ‘La Loma Sports Club’ today reached 29 degrees.
Four countries played to qualify for each of the big finals that will take place tomorrow. In the Junior Davis Cup France took on Great Britain and Australia played Czech Republic, while the Junior Fed Cup saw Russia take on Japan and Germany play Slovak Republic.
Britain reaches the final
In was a dramatic tie between the neighbouring countries, France and Great Britain. French player Mick Lescure had to fight a long battle to win in three sets against Andrew Bettles. He celebrated a 46 62 64 result that gave his country the first point of the tie.
All the strength that France had shown in the first match disappeared in the second, when a super-confident George Morgan took all his chances and broke Cedrik Commin’s service several times in the first set. By the second set, the chances for the French became slimmer and slimmer, until the final result read 63 63.
All the expectations of a good doubles match dissipated in just 46 minutes, the time it took for the British pair to destroy the French tandem 61 62. Morgan was certainly in scintillating form today, dealing with the second singles brilliantly and then quickly adapting for the doubles match.
The synchronization of the UK boys contrasted with the lack of activity from the others, who tried in vain to find a way back into the match. On several occasions both teams found themselves right up at the net, interchanging balls like a game of ping-pong. The Brits' quick transition from defence to offence disconcerted the French and was key to their victory
Australians in good shape
Without too much effort, Australian Luke Saville defeated Czech Jiri Vesely, 64 62 in the first singles. Vesely could not compete with the good shape of his rival, who fired balls from all angles of the court.
Australian No.1 Jason Kubler gave the last push to his country, beating Robert Rumler in the second singles 64 75.
Russia meets Germany in the Final
Japan's girls could not celebrate today, after been defeated easily by an assured Russian team that was determined to come out on top. Ksenia Kirilova scored a 62 76(6) win against Risa Ozaki, and Daria Gavrilova repeated the achievement, beating Akiko Omae 64 64.
Kirilova admitted “It was hard because I’m tired. I tried to focus on every single game”.
German Stephanie Wagner beat the Slovak Vivien Juhaszova 63 64 in the opening rubber of their semifinal. In the second singles Annika Beck, ran into trouble against Slovak Republic’s No.1, Jana Cepelova, who won 75 36 62.
The doubles was a very long, agonising match, that ended up with German celebrations, as they came through 60 67(3) 62. Although Germany won the first set with little drama, in the second the Slovaks recomposed themselves and forced a tiebreak with some truly impressive forehands from Chantal Skamlova and Vivien Juhaszova.
The Slovak squad support to each other throughout. When they are not on the court they cheer for their team from the stands.
Anna-Lena Friedsam was happy after defeating the Slovaks, saying “the match was great. Stephanie played wonderful. We played fast”.
Tomorrow they take on Russia: “I will rest in the hotel with the other girls" said Friedsam. "We will have a good breakfast in the morning and I hope we play very well”.
Wagner had a stunning performance today and commented “I won my singles and the doubles. I’m happy, I cannot believe it!”. Kindly signing balls and posing with a good number of fans, she highlighted the warmth of the local audience. “They are sitting down around the court and tell us Come on!! It was very nice”.
A North American fight
In the fight for fifth place and encouraged by the Mexican supporters, Marco Nuñez defeated USA’s Hunter Harrington in three sets, 62 67(8) 76(2), in front of his home crowd. In contrast, Luis Patiño didn’t have the same luck and American Bjorn Fratangelo won the second match 63 60. By the doubles match, the confidence in the US team was enough to outshine the locals. The partisan crowd celebrated every point their team won, as well as supporting them when they made mistakes. Nevertheless, the final score was in favour of the visitors 60 67(3) 62.
Related Articles
> Let’s play-off together!
> Court 1 with a "Ranchera" rhythm
> When the sun shines in México, we'll shine together
> San Luis Potosi raises the curtain
> Junior Davis Cup and Fed Cup by BNP Paribas draw
> 2009 Junior Davis Cup and Fed Cup Finals Preview
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