Strong start for hosts Czech Republic at World Junior Tennis Finals
Czech Republic got their 2021 ITF World Junior Tennis Final campaign off to a winning start after both their boys’ and girls’ teams posted victories on day one in Prostejov.
The girls’ team, who are the No. 4 seeds and defending champions, wasted little time in seeing off Korea, Republic in their opening round-robin tie. Marie Slamenikova and Tereza Valentova recorded straight set wins in the two singles matches before Slamenikova partnered with Nela Jandova to claim the doubles.
“In the start I was a little bit nervous but I played well. I was particularly happy with my backhand but I need to serve better in the tight moments,” said their No. 1 player Slamenikova who normally trains at the TK Prostejov Club.
“It means a lot to play at home. My coach and family are here - my grandpa and my mum were cheering for me today which really helps,” added the 13-year-old.
The Czechs have hosted this international team event, which showcases the best under 14 talent in the world, for 22 years. While the hosts have yet to win the boys’ event, the Czech girls’ have lifted the trophy five times with players such as Nicole Vaidisova, Lucie Safarova and Petra Cetkovska helping the home nation to victory.
Safarova was on site at the opening ceremony at the TK Prostejov Club on Monday and recalled her memories of playing in the event.
“It was one of the first international events I played and to play the world championships was a big thing,” said the former world No. 5. “I had a lot of fun with my team throughout the week on the court but there were a lot of fun activities off the court too. The highlight was to hold the trophy at the end of the week, that was an amazing memory.”
Cetkovska is also on site this week as she is captain of the girls’ team. The former world No. 25 was a member of the winning Czech team in this competition in 1998.
“Today’s match was very difficult for the girls because it’s at home so it was a very stressful match. They were very consistent and took the matches seriously from the beginning to the end and they played well. There’s some space for improvement but for their first match it was really good,” said Cetkovska.
Elsewhere in the girls’ event there were wins for top seeds Russia, who eased past Egypt for the loss of only 11 games, and No. 2 seed Bulgaria who also looked formidable as they crushed Switzerland.
On the boys’ side Czech Republic, the No. 2 seeds, recovered from losing the first match against Germany to take a 2-1 victory.
Czech No. 1 Jan Kumstat, who reached the final at the European U14 Championships last month, suffered a shock defeat to Germany’s Max Schoenhaus 6-2 7-5. The 14-year-old bounced back quickly, combining with Maxim Mrva, who was celebrating his 14th birthday, to defeat Justin Engel and Schoenhaus 7-6 6-0 and win the decisive doubles in what was a rematch of the European U14 Boys’ Doubles final.
“I knew that today would be tough as I know the Germans are very good. I knew they would be aggressive so I told the boys they must fight all the time, keep moving and focus and they did,” said the Czech captain Tomas Kajlik.
Top seeds Italy were also put under pressure in their round-robin match against Sweden. Their No. 1 player Jacopo Vasami was defeated by William Rejchtman Vinciguearra 6-2 7-5 but victories from Federico Cina in the second singles and Cina and Andrea De Marchi in the doubles put them back on track.
Other notable results saw Finland upset No. 6 seeds Japan 3-0 while Ecuador took a surprise victory over No. 8 seeds Korea, Republic, prevailing in a match tie-break in the decisive doubles match, on Centre Court.