USA clinch 2012 Junior Fed Cup title

The 2012 Junior Fed Cup Finals by BNP Paribas came to a fitting conclusion in the early evening on Sunday with a traditional medal ceremony.

USA took the title, and the gold medal, while the Russians took the silver medal and Brazil went home with the bronze.

As it worked out, the Fed Cup competition stayed true to the seeding with the top-seeded USA beating second seeds Russia 3-0 on Sunday to be anointed the 2012 champions. The American amigos won all 14 matches they played throughout the competition.

Taylor Townsend lived up to her expectations as the No. 1 junior girl in the world, winning her singles and pairing with regular doubles partner Gaby Andrews in the doubles. The Townsend and Andrews duo won two Grand Slam titles together this year.

The big surprise for the Americans was 16-year-old Louisa Chirico, joining a USTA team for the first time. Chirico captured all five singles matches she played without even dropping a set. As Gabby Andrews said after their win, “I have a new best friend. Louisa was great to have on the team.”

The Russians were seeded second and that’s how they finished, although they were clearly disappointed to be unable to win any of the three matches they played against the USA on Sunday.

In the third and four place play-off, Brazil took a 2-1 win over Australia to find their way to the medal platform.

The final standings for the Junior Fed Cup: 1st USA, 2nd Russia, 3rd Brazil, 4th Australia, 5th Spain, 6th Germany, 7th Italy, 8th Paraguay, 9th Egypt, 10th South Africa, 11th Latvia, 12th Japan, 13th Mexico, 14th Korea, 15th Belarus, 16th China.

It seems as if everyone just arrived in Barcelona to play at the Real Club de Polo de Barcelona. But now it is all over for this year. But fear not, another group of talented juniors will be making the scene next year to compete at the 2013 Junior Davis Cup and Junior Fed Cup Finals by BNP Paribas and to make new friends from around the world.