Issue link: http://itf.uberflip.com/i/193236
WORLD JUNIOR TENNIS YOUNG STARS SHINE BRIGHT USA and Russia were the dominant forces in this year's ITF World Junior Tennis Finals, which showcases the world's best 14-and-under teams. by Max Woodward L ocal hero and international ice hockey star Jaromir Jagr was the special guest at the opening ceremony of the 2013 ITF World Junior Tennis Finals in Prostejov, Czech Republic. This year's competition saw strong showings from the teams from USA and Russia as both nations contested the boys' and girls' finals in August. USA won the girls' title for an unprecedented sixth time and it was an historic moment for Russia as the nation won the boys' competition for the very first time, defeating defending champions USA. In the boys' final, the American team got off to the better start when Patrick Kypson won a tight contest, defeating bigserving Philipp Klimov 76 75. The second singles rubber saw two of the top players in the tournament go head-to-head when American Gianni Ross took on Artem Dubrivnyy of Russia. Neither player had lost going into the match, and it was Ross who took the early advantage, earning a crucial break of serve to take the first set 64. Dubrivnyy, backed by some passionate support from the Russian fans, fought back to take the second set 63 and built on that momentum to win the deciding set 62 and level the tie at 1-1. The deciding doubles rubber was, predictably, a very close match. ONES TO WATCH There were three players, two boys and one girl, who won all five singles matches they played in this year's World Junior Tennis Finals. These were Artem Dubrivnyy of Russia, Benjamin Sigouin of Canada and Catherine Bellis of USA. There were also 13 players who won four of their five rubbers. The 16 boys' and girls' teams in the event play in four round-robin groups from which the top teams progress to the semifinals where a knock-out competition decides the champions. Remaining nations in each group also play two further ties to decide final positions. Philipp Klimov and Artem Dubrivnyy win the title for Russia 30 ITFWORLD AUTUMN 2013 The victorious USA girls