European heavyweights Switzerland and Czech Republic flexed their muscle on a rain-affected opening day at the ITF World Junior Tennis Finals in Prostejov and began their respective glory bids in the girls’ division with resounding victories.

Top seeds Switzerland, conquerors of European qualifying, kickstarted their quest for a maiden World Junior Tennis girls’ crown on the clay of the TK Plus Centre by overcoming South Africa and prevailing 3-0.

Hosts Czech Republic, beaten finalists 12 months ago following defeat by Russia, were equally as ruthless as they clinically dispatched Egypt, also 3-0, to boost their hopes of a first World Junior Tennis triumph since 2003.

Karolina Kozakova ensured the Swiss made the perfect start as she overcame Carle Botha 7-5 6-4 before Celine Naef followed suit by defeating Anna Wise 6-0 6-1. Kozakova and Naef then joined forces to overpower Botha and Wise 6-4 6-1 in the doubles, enabling Swiss captain Michele Sjogren to bask in the glory of a successful start to the competition.

“It is very important [as top seeds] to get off to a good start,” Sjogren told itftennis.com. “As top seeds we are expected to win and it is good to win 3-0. I am very happy. The first match of any competition is never easy and always tends to be tight. I am very happy this evening.

“Regardless of what tournament I go to, I want to have a medal. I have a good team and I trust my players. But there are many good players here and we are a long way from winning the title. We have to go through the group, then anything is possible.”

Czech Republic, meanwhile, made light work of Egypt without the need for Linda Fruhvirtova, who is ranked No. 22 in the ITF World Tennis Tour Junior Rankings presented by IMG Academy. In her absence, youngster sister Brenda Fruhvirtova and Nikola Bartunkova led their nation’s charge.

Brenda Fruhvirtova demolished Layla Shoukry 6-0 6-0 in just 43 minutes before Bartunkova overpowered Jermine Sherif Mahmoud 7-5 6-0. Brenda Fruhvirtova and Bartunkova then united to dispose of Mariem Khaled Ibrahim and Mahmoud 6-0 6-0.

The Czech girls were the only team to conclude their tie before the torrential afternoon downpour, and captain Tomas Josefus pulled no punches when asked about his team’s aims for the week.

“Our ambition is to win the gold medal,” Josefus told itftennis.com. “I know that will be tough given the number of good players here, the quality of the event and the fact that everyone wants the gold medal.

“We are here with Linda, who is here for the third year in a row. She played the final here last year and lost in the deciding doubles. She is in Prostejov for the last time and wants the gold medal, as does the whole team.”

Having made her debut in international team competition for her nation, 12-year-old Brenda Fruhvirtova said: “I really enjoyed it. We played well and it was a lot of fun. I felt I played some really good tennis and it is pleasing to play so well in my first match at such a big tournament”

Elsewhere, eighth seeds USA made a blistering start to their Finals campaign by thrashing China 3-0. Tsehay Driscoll and Clervie Ngounoue found their groove immediately and brushed aside Cai Jiatong and Ye Minjia respectively in clinical fashion. Driscoll and Qavia Lopez then teamed up to defeat Cai and Ye 6-3 6-3 in the doubles.

There were also victories for No. 3 seeds Canada, Philippines, who were playing their first tie at the ITF World Junior Tennis Finals since 2003, Greece and Japan against Italy, Venezuela, Serbia and Korea respectively. The only seeded team to suffer defeat was Brazil, who succumbed to Ukraine.