Brazil crowned world champions in Rio
Brazil clinched a thrilling final 2-0 against Italy at the 2021 ITF Beach Tennis World Cup on Copacabana beach.
The hosts won a fourth World Cup title in front of a vocal home crowd, whose spirits were not dampened by Sunday's inclement weather conditions in Rio de Janeiro.
Rafaella Miiller and Marcela Vita got the hosts off to the perfect start in the women's doubles by defeating the in-form team this year, Giulia Gasparri and Ninny Valentini, 6-3 6-3 in 59 minutes.
Andre Baran and Vini Font then sealed victory with a closely contested encounter against Marco Garavini and Mattia Spoto.
When Spoto hit a backhand long to give the Brazilian pair a 7-5 7-5 victory, the entire team poured onto Centre Court for an emotional celebration.
"It is completely fantastic what I am feeling... hard to describe," admitted Font, who has been involved in all four of Brazil's World Cup triumphs - adding the 2021 crown to their victories in 2013, 2018 and 2019. "I've been playing in the World Cup since the first year in 2012. I did not imagine I could be here playing, probably only watching at home, but I won the final match - it is incredible. I am too happy."
Font is hopeful that Brazil's triumph can deliver a significant boost to the growth of the sport - both in his home country and beyond.
"I just want Beach Tennis to keep growing and hope the World Cup stays here for many years," he said. "Brazil is now the home of Beach Tennis!"
The host's Italian-born captain Alex Mingozzi might be forgiven for experiencing mixed emotions after playing a part in denying his birth-country a fifth World Cup - and first since 2017 - but the Porto Alegre resident admits he is firmly Brazilian at heart.
"It was a very difficult title. There was so much pressure all week, so much expectation," said Mingozzi. "We were not the best ranked team - Italy had a better-ranked women's doubles pair, so this is a huge title for us... enormous.
"I feel very good despite beating Italian opponents, my brothers. When the anthem rises it is difficult for me since I represented the Italian team all my life, but now my heart is Brazilian, my family is Brazilian, and I want to win more titles with Brazil. We wrote another page in history."
Miiller, who played an integral role in the hosts' triumph after she and Vita stunned the world's top-ranked pair, described their victory as something that "will be remembered for life", while Baran added that the team's closeness was a big part of the reason for their success.
"Our squad is very happy, we are very united and we showed it on the court," concluded Baran. "We are four time champions. Now is the time to celebrate!"
Earlier in the day, Spain defeated 2016 champions, Russian Tennis Federation 2-0 to claim the bronze medal. Eva Palos and Sabrina Lopez overcame Daria Churakova and Liudmila Nikoian 6-3 7-6(3) before world No. 4 Antomi Ramos Viera and Saulo Tejada beat Nikita Burmakin and Nikolai Gurev 4-6 6-4 [10-2].
Ramos said: "We had a difficult match. Burmakin played unbelievable Gurev was playing so well, he's a lefty and didn't miss anything. We're very happy to win this bronze medal."
There was some consolation for Team Italy as their junior team retained their title as world champions with a tense 2-1 victory over Brazil.
The hosts started strongly with world No. 20 Vitoria Marchezini and Isadora Lourenco winning 6-0 6-2 against Elena Francesconi and Giulia Lorenzi.
Niccolo Gasparri and Luca Andreolini got Italy back into the tie by defeating Giovanni Cariani and Daniel Mola 6-3 6-7(11) [10-5], despite the Brazilian pair saving two match points before clinching the second set and forcing a match tiebreak.
In the mixed doubles, junior world No. 1 Damino Rosichini and Renzi clinched a thrilling match against Cariani and Marchezini 6-2 2-6 [10-7].
"We are very proud and we came here to win it again," said Damino. "It was more difficult winning here in Brazil against the home country. This place is beautiful, there are many people."