The all-Florida U.S. Junior Davis Cup team finished runner-up to Japan, while the U.S. Junior Fed Cup team made history by winning a third straight title last weekend at the USTA National Campus in Orlando.
In the Junior Davis Cup final the all-Florida team of Toby Kodat (16, Bradenton,), Martin Damm (15, Bradenton), and Dali Blanch (16, Orlando) made up the U.S. roster.
One step closer ➡️ 🏆
Toby Kodat gives #TeamUSATennis a 1-0 lead over Japan with a 6-3, 6-3 win in the Jr. Davis Cup final at the USTA #NationalCampus. pic.twitter.com/ejMHrziv87
— USTA (@usta) September 29, 2019
Kodat put the U.S. up 1-0 over Japan in the final with a straight-set singles win. Damm was then defeated in his singles, with the title coming down to the doubles, where Kodat/Damm came up short in the final. It was the first title for Japan since 2010, and the second title for Japan since the competition started in 1985. The U.S. was looking for a first title since 2014 when it defeated Korea 3-0 in the final.
Tough loss! Congrats @ShintaroMOCHIZU https://t.co/RAj6VqIaMH
— Toby Kodat (@TobyKodat) September 29, 2019
The U.S. girls became the first team to ever win three straight Junior Fed Cup finals when they defeated the Czech Republic 2-1 in the championship.
Connie Ma (16, Dublin, Calif.) started hot for the U.S. with a 6-3, 6-1 singles victory before Katrina Scott (15, Woodland Hills, Calif.) lost a tough three-set match, again leaving the title to the doubles.
3️⃣-peat 🏆🏆🏆#TeamUSATennis beats Czech Republic 2-1 to claim its third consecutive Jr. Fed Cup title with a 6-2, 7-5 win in doubles. pic.twitter.com/CsbskT1YUn
— USTA (@usta) September 29, 2019
In the doubles final Ma and Robin Montgomery (15, Washington, D.C.) teamed up for a 6-2, 7-5 win to clinch the title, adding to U.S. wins in 2018-17, 2014, 2012, and 2008 at the competition that began in 1985.
USTA National Coach Jamea Jackson captained the Junior Fed Cup team, and USTA National Coach Philippe Oudshoorn captained the Junior Davis Cup team.
🥇➕🥈
Unforgettable week at the USTA #NationalCampus for Team USA! pic.twitter.com/TdiZ9bnN9P
— USTA (@usta) September 30, 2019
This year marked the first time since 1994 that the Junior Davis Cup and Junior Fed Cup by BNP Paribas Finals were held in the United States, and the first time the USTA National Campus has hosted the event. The finals will return to the USTA National Campus in 2020-21.
For more info go to www.usta.com/news.
