Teams from the United States and the Czech Republic will decide the Billie Jean King Cup Junior title, played this week on clay courts in Córdoba, Spain. In the semifinals this Saturday, the North Americans defeated Spain 2-0, while the Czechs eliminated the British.
The victory in North America started with Tyra Grant, who defeated Lorena Solar 7/6 (7-5) and 6/1. At just 15 years old, Grant was ranked number 21 in the youth world and 761st among professionals. Next, it was Iva Jovic’s turn to defeat Charo Esquiva Banuls with a double 6/2. Also 15 years old, Jovic is ranked 14th in the youth world and 647th in the WTA.
In the other semi-final, Laura Samsonova opened the series by defeating Mingge Xu with a double 6/4. And then, Alena Kovackova defeated the great British prospect Hannah Klugman also by doubles 6/4. The two Czech 15-year-olds, Samsonova is number 6 in the youth world rankings, while Kovackova is in the 15th position.
The two finalist countries are the last two champions of the Billie Jean King Cup Junior. The Czechs have five titles, the most recent in 2021, while the North Americans have seven titles, including last year.
Brazil was overtaken by Australia
The Brazilian team continued in the playoffs that determined the fifth to eighth place, after stopping in the quarterfinals. This Saturday, Brazil was defeated by Australia, 2-1. Carolina Bohrer from Santa Catarina defeated Tahlia Kokkinis 2/6, 6/1 and 10-8. Afterwards, world number 11 in the youth ranking Emerson Jones defeated Pietra Rivoli from Rio Grande do Sul by 6/3 and 6/1. In doubles, the Australian closed the series 6/3 and 6/4.
Brazil finished the tournament on Sunday against Sweden, taking seventh place. This is the best campaign in the country since fifth place in 2013. A year earlier, in 2012, a trio with Bia Haddad Maia, Carol Meligeni and Ingrid Martins finished in third place.
