the hosts triumph in Reus: Spain still on top of the world

As happened two years ago in Asuncion, Spain has won the FIP Junior World Cup. Six years after Castellon, however, it’s a special double success because it happened at home: first the girls celebrated, then the boys, on an exciting day, just as exciting as the whole week dedicated to NextGen, with over 600 athletes representing 35 countries. It was a festival of talent, with FIP President Luigi Carraro awarding the winners. Since 2009, Spain has won its seventh men’s world title and eighth women’s title.

GIRLS The Spanish women’s team needed only two matches to beat Portugal: first Garcia/Lamas (Under-14 world champions also in the pairs tournament), then Munera/Martin (defeated in the final of the Under-16 pairs tournament), without losing a set, closed 2-0 the tie. Argentina came third, thanks to a 2-1 win over Brazil, and Italy came fifth with a 2-1 win over Sweden.

BOYS The men’s final, on the other hand, was decided in the decisive match. After the victory of Delgado/Brocal (the latter winner of the Under-14 pairs title) over Ciccioli/Medina (7-5 6-3) and the Argentine draw of Silva/Contreras over Fuertes/Garcia (6-4 3-6 6-1), it was “Curro” Cabeza and Coquito Zamora (the former already winner of a title on the Premier Padel circuit in Gijon) who secured the title for Spain, beating Graupera/Diaz 6-4 6-2. France came third (2-1 over Brazil) and Paraguay fifth (2-1 over Sweden).

Among the winners of the FIP Junior World Cup for pairs, the victory of the Estebanez brothers stands out: Hugo triumphed with Aaron Garcia in the Under 16 category, while Asier won the Under 14 tournament with Mario Brocal.

FIP JUNIOR WORLD CUP – GIRLS’ RANKINGS
1) Spain
2) Portugal
3) Argentina
4) Brazil
5) Italy
6) Sweden
7) France
8) Egypt
9) Mexico
10) Chile
11) Venezuela
12) Paraguay
13) Belgium
14) Japan
15) Germany
16) Uruguay

FIP JUNIOR WORLD CUP – BOYS’ RANKINGS
1) Spain
2) Argentina
3) France
4) Brazil
5) Paraguay
6) Sweden
7) Italy
8) Mexico
9) Portugal
10) Chile
11) Venezuela
12) Egypt
13) Belgium
14) Germany
15) Netherlands
16) Ecuador