South American qualifying complete as teams progress to Junior Finals

The line-ups for the Junior Davis Cup and Junior Billie Jean King Cup by BNP Paribas Finals have become clearer following the latest round of regional qualifying which saw six teams from South America progress.

After a successful showing at the qualification event in Asuncion, Brazil, Argentina and Chile ensured they will have the opportunity to compete for the title of the best 16-and-under boys’ team on the planet.

It was quite the week for Argentina and Chile, who along with Peru also confirmed their attendance at the Junior Billie Jean King Cup Finals and are now in the mix to top the girls’ podium at the prestigious event.

All six teams now advance to the Junior Davis Cup and Junior Billie Jean King Cup Finals, which are being staged in Antalya, Turkey from 28 September until 3 October and where a combined 32 nations will do battle for silverware.

In the boys’ competition in Paraguay, it was Brazil who ended the week unbeaten after topping their group following victories over Peru, Ecuador, Uruguay and Colombia before defeating Argentina in the play-off final.

Brazil have never been crowned Junior Davis Cup champions, while Chile were the last South American side to triumph way back in 2001 when they dispatched Germany in a one-sided final.

Nevertheless, in the immediate aftermath of their successful qualification, thoughts inevitably turned to Antalya and a potential tilt at the elusive title. The chorus of positivity was led by Matheus Lima, who won all eight of the matches he contested in Asuncion.

“We are very happy with this victory, it was a very tough tournament, the teams were very strong this year,” he said.

“For the Junior Davis Cup Finals in Antalya, we do not expect anything less than the victory. We will go with everything, we are going to give our best tennis to get the title.”

Lima was joined in Paraguay by Luis Felipe Carvalho and Henrique Brito, with the duo equally hungry for silverware and similarly bullish about Brazil’s chances.

“It was a great feeling to bring the title to Brazil, I think the three of us had a very good week and I am very happy with our performance on the court,” said Brito.

“The expectation for the Junior Davis Cup Finals in Antalya is to do our best and try to represent our country in the best possible way on and off the court, while we are always looking to win the title.”

Carvalho added: “I am very happy for the victory, the team was incredible all week, we had a wonderful tournament and the expectation for the Junior Davis Cup Finals in Antalya is to do our best and show who we are from Brazil.”

Chile, meanwhile, finished behind Argentina in the group-stage and subsequently faced a showdown with Peru, with the winners reaching the Finals. Chile duly prevailed and will take their seats alongside Brazil and Argentina on the plane to Antalya.

In Junior Billie Jean King Cup qualification, meanwhile, it was Argentina who proved the team to beat after their players navigated the group stage and indeed their play-off clash with Peru without losing a single match.

Two-time competition winners Argentina are the only South American side to have won the Junior Billie Jean King Cup and they progress to the Finals alongside Peru and Chile – the latter defeating Brazil in their play-off.

“I am very happy as well as the whole team and grateful for this week that was very good,” said Luciana Moyano of Argentina.

“I had come before and I didn't have a chance to win. This week was incredible, I am very happy for everyone and I hope we do very well in the Junior Billie Jean King Cup Finals in Antalya.”

Lourdes Ayala, also of Argentina, added: “I am very happy because it is the first time that I have the opportunity to represent my country and to be able to do it in the best way is very good.”