Prostejov like it’s 1999: Czech Republic to meet Germany in final
Top seeds Czech Republic will tomorrow have the chance to lift silverware on home soil after their girls’ team dispatched Slovakia to reach the 2022 ITF World Junior Tennis final.
Standing in their way are Germany, who defeated USA in their last-four tussle, which means Petra Cetkovska and Anna-Lena Groenefeld will do battle on the clay of Prostejov as captains, just as they did as players in 1999.
Back then it was in a doubles match with the tie already decided as Czech Republic eventually finished fifth and Germany seventh. Tomorrow, it will determine who stands atop the winners’ podium.
“To be in the final, I cannot ask for anything else and to do it under pressure, I am really proud of my team,” Groenefeld told itftennis.com. “Now that we are in the final, everybody of course wants to win, and it would mean the world to us.
“It would also give the girls a lot of confidence going forward, but for now they should enjoy being in the final and concentrate on tomorrow when it comes.
“The final is a repeat of the semi-finals at European qualifying when they beat us, but we were close. We are excited to get another chance to play them and for that to be in the final is special.
“It is also special for Petra and myself. It is great to see former players coaching young girls because we can give them so much. It is great to be coming up against each other in Prostejov once more, only this time not on the court.”
Should Germany, who are seeded No. 3 here, prevail, it could prove an incredibly special day for the nation as they chase twin success with their boys’ team also making the final of their draw after beating Kazakhstan.
Only once has a nation won both the boys’ and girls’ title in the same year and that was USA in 2008, so the hand of history beckons. However, the Czechs will be no pushovers and have every intention of fighting their corner.
“I am delighted that we are in the final,” Cetkovska told itftennis.com. “Especially today, it was a really tough tie and ties between Czech Republic and Slovakia are always tight, so I am very pleased with the performance of the girls and the manner in which they played.
“It would mean a lot to them to win this tournament on home soil and we will do everything to push for the last step.”
The decisive point of their clash against Slovakia was claimed by Alena Kovackova as she overcame Sona Depesova 6-2 6-0, which followed an opening singles victory for Laura Samsonova, who prevailed 6-3 7-6, against Mia Pohankova.
In the immediate aftermath of victory, she was joined on court by teammates Samsonova and Eliska Forejtkova, as well as Cetkovska, to link arms and chant their team motto: one team, one dream, together we’re going to win.
Czech Republic have been utterly dominant this week. Their three players have lost just three sets between them in 13 matches. Samsonova, meanwhile, has an imperious record of seven match-wins and has designs on more tomorrow.
“I love representing my country, especially here at home, and it would mean so much to be world champion,” Samsonova told itftennis.com.
“We all fought to get to the final and I am so happy that we’re there. I cannot wait to get out on court tomorrow, I’m really looking forward to it.”
Germany’s Julia Stusek, whose mother was born in Prostejov, has also clocked up seven victories during the course of the 2022 ITF World Junior Tennis Finals, including today's against American Shannon Lam, and is of a similar mind to Samsonova.
“It great to play for Germany,” Stusek told itftennis.com. “I didn’t play my best today but I am very pleased to be here and to be a part of this team. We lost the last time we played Czech Republic but we’ve grown since then and I think we’re ready.”
Clearly there is going to be no quarter given when five-time champions Czech Republic and Germany, whose girls were last crowned ITF World Junior Tennis champions in 1994, draw swords tomorrows. Let battle commence.
A full list of results from day five of the 2022 ITF World Junior Tennis Finals can be viewed here.