Issue link: http://itf.uberflip.com/i/1182564
26 ITFWorld // AUTUMN 2019 WHILE TROPHIES IN JUNIOR TENNIS DO NOT ALWAYS TRANSLATE INTO SILVERWARE IN THE PROFESSIONAL RANKS, THE ABILITY to deliver under testing circumstances is a useful knack to have. Japan appear to have that quality in abundance after five of their six ties en route to the summit of the Junior Davis Cup by BNP Paribas podium in Orlando were settled by a decisive doubles showdown. Furthermore, in all those clashes, Japan recovered from a 1-0 deficit, including the final where they defeated top seeds USA to claim their first tournament title since 2010, when they overpowered Canada. USA's girls also showed character and resolve as two of their three knockout jousts went the distance, which was indeed the case in the final as they dispatched Czech Republic to be crowned Fed Cup by BNP Paribas champions for a third successive year. Japan certainly benefited from having Wimbledon boys' champion Shintaro Mochizuki in their ranks: the 16-year- old won all 11 matches he contested during the week- long extravaganza at the US National Campus at Lake Nona. In the final, he drew his nation level by beating Martin Damm, following Toby Kodat's victory over Kokoro Isomura, before teaming up with Yamato Sueoka as the Japanese pair claimed a 6-4 6-4 scalp. The list of players to have contested the Junior Davis Cup Finals before enjoying stellar careers in the professional game is long and distinguished and includes the likes of Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic. Such heralded alumni, together with the euphoria of triumphing on behalf of his nation, has Mochizuki dreaming of the bigger picture and representing Japan at senor level Davis Cup and the Olympic Games. "I love playing for my team and country and winning for Japan," said Mochizuki. "I want to play Davis Cup and all these other major competitions and win for my nation. "I hope our win in Orlando can be really important for Japan and Japanese tennis. I hope everyone in Japan is happy. It was a win for the team and for the country. It was just unbelievable. It was unreal and such a happy feeling." Japan's pathway to the final saw Ko Iwamoto's outfit overcome Spain, Morocco and Czech Republic to head Group D, before clearing the hurdles of Great Britain, Serbia and latterly USA. For their part, USA also subscribed to the theme of holding one's nerve, having saved match points in their knockout matches against defending champions Spain Japan and USA claimed the honours as Orlando played host to the Junior Davis and Junior Fed Cup by BNP Paribas Finals. Pressure makes diamonds Shintaro Mochizuki played a starring role for Japan J U N I O R D AV I S A N D F E D C U P B Y B N P PA R I B A S Connie Ma won all nine of the matches she contested USA's girls celebrate their Junior Fed Cup by BNP Paribas success