The IC Rod Laver European 16U Junior Challenge

A great start to the week with some very close and exciting matches. The eight competing countries Italy, Ireland, Germany, Austria, Spain, Israel, Great Britain and Slovenia were put in to two round robin groups for the first three days. In Group A a high class match in which Italy eventually defeated the seeded Great Britain team 4-2. All matches but one had tie break sets including Italy winning two of their matches in third 10 point tie break sets. This included the number 2 girls match where Italy were 9-6 down and came back to win 13-11 otherwise it would have been three matches each and a mixed tie break to decide the result. In the other match in Group A Ireland defeated host nation Germany 4-2.

In Group B there were also some very close matches. This included Slovenia firstly tying with Spain at 3 all having saved a match point in the mens doubles that would have given Spain a 4-2 victory. Then with Slovenia going on to win the mixed doubles tie break decider. In the other match seeded Israel came through 4- 2 against Austria.

The matches have been played in a good IC spirit of "Hands across the net friendship across the ocean" and the juniors are having a great experience and already playing memorable matches and making international friends. There will now be two more days of Round Robin matches before the final day play offs against opposite numbers.