The boys took their second chance to become the first British team to reach the Junior Davis Cup since Kyle Edmund, Luke Bambridge and Evan Hoyt (who went on to win the final) in 2011
Their task was helped considerably when Karlis Ozolins (playing the second singles because of TE ranking, but the highest ranked ITF) retired early. They play Denmark next, who unusually like us have 2 2003 boys, who dominated Tennis Europe U14 tournaments last year - one being the top ranked 2003 in the world.
U16 5th-8th play-off
GBR 3 Latvia 0
Joel Pierleoni beat Karlis Ozolins 3-1 rtd Jack Pinnington Jones beat Daniel Linkuns-Morozovs 6-4 6-4 Doubles w/o
Both the under 16s and under 18s secured 5th place. The under 16s beat Denmark 2-1 (Felix beat the Danish No. 3 4-6 6-3 6-3, Jack lost 2-6 7-5 2-6 to Holger Vitus Nodskov Rune, their star player, and the pair teamed up to win the doubles 6-0 2-6 [10-5]). Next stop for the team is Budapest for the Davis Cup in late September. The under 18s shared 5th place, after defeating Ukraine 2-1 (wins for Emile and Jacob/Connor, after Jacob was edged out of a marathon 3 setter). The match for 5th against Hungary was not played
To give the full round-up, France rather aced it, winning the boys U18 and U16.
Spain had a second and third place.
Italy a second and fourth place.
Two fifths for GB is very respectable.
Attention switches to the under 12s playing in the TE nations Challenge finals. There are 2 Round Robin groups of 4 and we have started with a 2-1 win over Italy (Viktor won in 2, Henry lost in 2 and Jamie/Viktor took the doubles on a match tiebreak 10-5). live scores are available at scores.tennisticker.de/fra/sb.html
Disappointment today for the under 12s against Belgium, who hold an unassailable 2-0 lead after the singles (Jamie and Viktor lost in straight sets). Their remaining round robin match is against Turkey tomorrow.
A 2-1 win for the under 12s against Turkey today means we secure second place in the group behind Belgium (Viktor won in 2, Henry lost in 3 and Jamie/Viktor won in 2). I think they will play France for bronze tomorrow (who have won 2/3 in the other group) - the two teams played for the Lampo Trophy recently, which we won
France exacted revenge, aided by playing at home, to snatch bronze. Viktor won the opening singles in 2, Henry lost in 2 and Jamie/Viktor lost in 2. Belgium won gold with a 2-0 win over Croatia