ITF

SILVERWARE-HUNGRY MARCUS HILPERT OF THE NETHERLANDS WAS THE TOAST OF MIAMI AFTER SCOOPING A CLEAN SWEEP OF trophies at the 2019 ITF Young Seniors World Individual Championships. Hilpert proved an unstoppable force and sealed a hat- trick of titles, topping the podium in the men's 45s singles and doubles as well as the mixed 40s doubles. The 48-year-old now has four ITF Young Seniors World Individual singles titles to his name, while his three-pronged victory march in Florida ensured he retained the singles and doubles crowns he secured 12 months ago. Aside from Hilpert in the 45s singles, it was also a case of lightning striking twice in the other men's singles events. Top seeds Pablo Cerutti of Argentina and Spaniard Roberto Menendez Ferre took the plaudits in the men's 35s and 40s singles respectively and successfully defended the titles they claimed during the 2018 edition of the tournament. Victory continued Menendez Ferre's sublime run of form in the competition, with this his sixth successive singles title having prevailed each year in the men's 35s between 2014 and 2017 and then repeating the feat during the last two years in the men's 40s. If there was a sense of familiarity in the men's singles, it was all change in the women's as Germany's Steffi Bachofer, Rosa-Maria Andres-Rodriguez of Spain and Slovenian Barbara Mulej prevailed in the women's 35s, 40s and 45s respectively. All three singles victors also teamed up with compatriots to triumph in the women's doubles. It proved a successful couple of weeks for Menendez Ferre, who only days earlier had enjoyed success with his Spanish team-mates in the Men's 40+ Tony Trabert Cup at the ITF Young Seniors World Team Championships. For Menendez Ferre, overcoming Netherlands in the final, which followed success against Denmark in the quarter- finals and Germany in the semis, ranked among his most precious successes. "Last year we won also, but all our ties were won before the doubles," he said. "This time it was really very difficult. In the semi-final against Germany we were one match down and my second match was really tough. "I was down a set and a break but made it 1-1, and then in the doubles we were so close to losing when they were serving for the match at 5-4." Menendez Ferre had gone unbeaten through five matches – singles and doubles – to fire Spain into the final. However, the captain was left to rely on his team-mates with the prize of first place on the line after falling to defeat against Dennis van Scheppingen in the second singles clash. Francisco Javier Martinez Baena and Mario Perea delivered when it mattered, battling back from a set down to clinch the decisive doubles against Van Scheppingen and Rogier Wassen, 5-7 6-2 6-2. "I'm very happy because we played altogether – doubles, singles, all four players," added Menendez Ferre. "It was a really good victory. After the match we had a big party. I have won gold in teams before, but this time was really different." Spain's joy was part of a European masterclass, which was also the case in 2018, with France sweeping the 45+ competitions. Their Men's team claimed the Dubler Cup with a 2-1 win over Netherlands, while the Women's team sealed the Margaret Court Cup, beating Spain by the same scoreline. Spain also claimed the Men's 35+ Italia Cup with a 2-1 win over Italy, but the Italians were not to be denied altogether. The No.7 seeds stunned Great Britain, Spain and top seeds France to seal the Women's 40+ Young Cup. Germany, meanwhile, snared the Women's 35+ Suzanne Lenglen Cup. n ITFWorld // WINTER 2019/20 37 Italy won the Young Cup Germany in buoyant mood after their Suzanne Lenglen Cup success Spain triumphed in the Tony Trabert Cup For a full breakdown of results from the ITF Young Seniors World Individual and Team Championships, visit www.itftennis.com/seniors Caroline Dhenin of France accepts the congratulations of her teammates Hilpert returned a clean sweep of trophies at the ITF Young Seniors World Individual Championships

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