3 October 2011 | Tennis Queensland

Australia’s Junior Fed Cup team, including Queenslander Ash Barty, has claimed victory over Canada to take the title in San Luis Potosi, Mexico.

The Australian junior dream team: Ash Barty, Belinda Woolcock and Brooke Rischbieth defeated the Canadians 2-0.

Woolcock made the perfect start when she defeated Canada’s Carol Zhao 6-1 6-3, before world No.3 Barty sealed the win with a 6-2 6-3 victory over Francoise Abanda. The doubles were not played.

For the top-seeded Australian team, it was the perfect end to a stellar week having not dropped a tie throughout the six-day event.

“What we have achieved this week is phenomenal,” said the 2011 Wimbledon champion, Ash Barty.  

“We worked together as a team and really came through some awkward moments. To share this Junior Fed Cup title with Brooke, Belinda and Ken is something special.

“We played some great tennis and some ordinary tennis, but great players can win when they are not playing their best and that’s what all three of us did this week.

“The Junior Fed Cup trophy is back in the country it belongs!”

Barty also paid tribute to the team’s coach and captain, Ken Richardson.

“Having a coach like Ken on the sideline is not something we are used to, but I think we all wouldn’t mind having him there more often.

Likewise, Richardson was proud of his young team.

“This result is very pleasing, we were very happy just to qualify in India now we are the 2011 champions. I was very proud of the way Belinda played today, all the things we worked on came together at the right time. It’s just one of those matches you dream about,” said Richardson.

“Ash followed up with another straight-sets win in very difficult circumstances with the Canadian number one injured and unable to serve correctly. Ash has only lost one set [in doubles] at this event and it’s been a very commendable effort considering the pressure on her to perform and lead the team.

“I’m a very happy coach and extremely proud of the girls.”

Meanwhile the Junior Davis Cup final was won by top seeds Great Britain, who were too strong for the second-seeded Italians, winning 2-0.

The third-seeded Australian Junior Davis Cup team, of Daniel Guccione, Nicholas Kyrgios, Jay Andrijic and Bradley Mousley, won its play-off for fifth place, defeating fourth seeds Japan 2-0.

Guccione defeated Takashi Saito 6-2 7-5, before Kyrgios completed the win with a 6-4 6-4 victory over Yoshihito Nishioka.

Team captain Pat Cash was happy with his team’s performance throughout the event.

“The trip has been a great experience for the boys and I believe they have developed both on and off the court. It was a steep learning curve for some as it was their first time at altitude,” said Cash.

“It was nice to finish on a positive today, with Daniel stepping up and winning his first singles and Nick remaining undefeated in singles. Jay’s hard work on the court paid off with him excelling in the doubles.”

Junior Fed Cup and Junior Davis Cup by BNP Paribas is a prestigious international team event for girls and boys aged 16 and under.

The Australian Junior Fed Cup team last won the event in 2007 with Sally Peers, Isabella Holland and Olivia Rogowska and captained by Louise Pleming.

Final Standings
Junior Davis Cup by BNP Paribas
1. Great Britain (1)
2. Italy (2)
3. France (6)
4. South Africa
5. Australia (3)
6. Japan (4)
7. Canada (8)
8. Chile (7)
9. Thailand
10. Hong Kong, China
11. Tunisia
12. Argentina
13. Mexico
14. Ecuador
15. Germany
16. Israel (5)

Junior Fed Cup by BNP Paribas
1. Australia (1)
2. Canada (2)
3. Czech Republic (5)
4. Italy (3)
5. Mexico (7)
6. Chinese Taipei
7. South Africa
8. Germany
9. Brazil (8)
10. Argentina
11. Spain (4)
12. Japan (6)
13. Romania
14. Great Britain
15. Thailand
16. Bolivia