Silverware-chasing France stand on the brink of a first Junior Davis Cup by BNP Paribas title since 2005 after reaching the final following a titanic struggle against No. 3 seeds Mexico.

France, who are the second seeds here in Antalya, will face Russia, who defeated Argentina on Centre Court and will look to take the remaining step in their own quest to top the competition’s prestigious podium.

Russia were the first to advance from their semi-final tussle as France’s showdown with Mexico went the distance and was decided by doubles, with explosive duo Arthur Gea and Antoine Ghibaudo overpowering Luca Lemaitre and Rodrigo Pacheco.

However, what preceded that showdown must rank as one of the finest adverts for this tournament and junior tennis in general. In fact, it was a clash that would not have looked out of place far higher up the tennis pyramid.

France’s Gabriel Debru and Mexican sensation Pacheco served up a heavyweight tussle full of aggression, quality and skill, which the latter eventually won 4-6 6-4 7-6(5) to haul his nation back into contention.

Prior to his heroics, Mexico’s chances were dangling by the flimsiest of threads after Gea dispatched Sebastian Medica 6-1 6-2 in the opening singles match and Debru had claimed the first set of the second.

However, Pacheco launched a stunning comeback, holding his nerve in a tense match tiebreak to post a staggering triumph, with his celebration testament to the sheer effort needed to get over the line.

In the end, it was not to be for Mexico and France now have the chance to seal their fifth Junior Davis Cup title and, at the same, end their long wait for silverware in this tournament.

Not since 2005 have France tasted glory. Incidentally, that was the year of Gea’s birth, and it was he and Ghibaudo who had the final word as France powered into the final.

“We have never played this level of doubles before in our lives and that is why there was a liberation of emotions when we won,” Gea told itftennis.com.

“It is amazing to be in the final because we were a little scared about this match; the one before was very long and that can be difficult mentally, but we did it and it feels great. Now, we are determined to make a little bit of history for France. That is our objective.”

While it will be of little consolation at the present time, by reaching the semi-finals Mexico have recorded their best performance in either Junior Davis Cup or Junior Billie Jean King Cup. Their previous best Junior Davis Cup finish was sixth, which was achieved way back in 1993. 

Standing between France and glory are unseeded Russia, who have been in blistering form since losing their opening match of the week against Mexico, which feels an awfully long time ago given their recovery since.

Russia once again proved a dangerous proposition as Argentina, fresh from their victory over top seeds Czech Republic, had very little answer once Yaroslav Demin found his groove after losing the opening set of his singles showdown.

Demin trailed Juan Estevez before instigating an impressive comeback and winning 2-6 6-4 6-2. The Russian mission was complete when Maxim Zhukov overcame Gonzalo Zeitune in straight sets.

At this stage, Russia remained on course to become just the fourth nation to win both Junior Davis Cup and Junior Billie Jean King Cup in the same year, and the first do so since the United States in 2014.

However, following Russia’s defeat to Japan in Junior Billie Jean King Cup, it is their nation’s boys left carrying their country’s hopes as they eye a first Junior Davis Cup title since 2016. Demin, meanwhile, has visions on being the inspiration for future incarnations of the Russian boys’ team.

“It would be so good for Russia if we were able to win,” Demin told itftennis.com.

“In so many years, other guys from Russia will come to the Finals and we want their coach to say, ‘the boys of 2021 won, so must you’. For us now, it is such a big priority to win the final. We want it so much and we will not take a backward step.”

In the positional play-offs to determine the final placings of nations within the top eight, meanwhile, there were victories for Czech Republic and Japan, while elsewhere there were wins for Bulgaria, Brazil, Chile and Egypt.