Leonice Huet proved the unlikeliest hero for France as the reigning champions blasted past a weak Russia on their way to another European junior team final.
The French woman lost the opening set of her women’s singles against Anastasiia Shapovalova before coming back in determined style to beat the Russian in three games.
As has become the norm Arnuad Merkle barely broke a sweat in his men’s singles with Russian Amir Khamidulin and was completely perplexed with the team line up for Russian in an important semi final.
- It is very strange for me to see the team Russia played in this semi final. I expected to play Karpov and I was ready for that match. I never played this guy before but still I went out and completed the job for the team.
Given Merkle’s quick two set win in the men’s singles Leonice Huet was called upon very quickly to get back out on court in the women’s doubles alongside Juliette Moinard. The French had little to worry about as once again the Russian’s played what many would consider their second strongest women’s doubles pair and the French sealed the 3-0 semi final win with a 21-17 21-13 victory.
Denmark join France in the final and were pushed to work slightly harder than their French opponents in their semi final against Germany.
Denmark took the opening mixed with new pairing Sebastian Gronbjerg and Amalie Magelund and as expected red hot women’s singles individual favourite Line Christopersen made it 2-0 beating Miranda Wilson.
Lukas Resch gave the Germans some hope as he beat Magnus Johannesen in three games but the now seasoned seniors Amalie Magelund and Freja Ravn (pictured above) rounded off the 3-1 win with against quarter final hero’s Emma Moszcznyski and Jule Petrikowski.