Italy and Brazil share glory at 2023 ITF Beach Tennis World Cup

Brazil and Italy were named as champions of the 2023 ITF Beach Tennis World Cup on Monday after the final between the two nations was abandoned due to inclement weather on the sands of São Paolo, Brazil.

Italy were aiming to defend their title to secure a sixth World Cup crown, while the hosts were looking to avenge their defeat to Italy in last year’s final, but heavy rain and lightning meant the final was abandoned at 1-1. In an unprecedented move, both nations were then declared 2023 ITF Beach Tennis World Cup Champions.

Both nations cruised through the group stages and quarter-finals, before the Italian team of Giulia Gasparri, Nicole Nobile, Michele Cappelletti and Mattia Spoto, were victorious against Spain in the semi-finals. Brazil, represented by Sand Series Valinhos champions, Sophia Chow and Vitoria Marchezini, alongside Andre Baran and Allan Oliveria, triumphed over France in the last four to set up the final.

The final matches saw Brazil’s World No.1, Rafaella Miiller and Vitoria Marchezini securing a 6-1 and 6-4 victory over Italy’s Gasparri and Nobile, before Italy’s Michele Cappelletti and Mattia Spoto managed to get past Baran and Oliveria, also in straight sets, to level the score.

Unfortunately, the inclement weather then arrived, forcing the event to end abruptly.

Before the onset of the severe weather, the junior final also saw Italy and Brazil come head-to-head, with the hosts emerging triumphant for the first time as ITF Beach Tennis Junior World Cup Champions. Led by their captain, Marcus Ferreira, the Brazilian team secured a decisive 2-0 victory with Venezuela securing third position.

The junior finals produced some intense competition, with home favourites Coutinho Cabral Julia and Massaioli de Sousa Isabela beating Italy’s Francescana Elena and Massai Matilde, 7-5, 2-6 and 10-8, before Cogo Lock Felipe and Garbarski Gustavo sealed the title with victory in the second match.

The ITF Beach Tennis World Cup, formerly known as the Beach Tennis World Team Championship, is a mixed competition with each team comprising a minimum of two men and two women. Each tie consists of a men’s doubles, a women’s doubles and mixed doubles matches.

For the latest scores, tournament information and reports visit ITFTennis.com.