While the last few strides are often said to be the most difficult, there is most certainly a spring in the step of Germany’s boys after they sealed their place in the semi-finals of the ITF World Junior Tennis Finals.

No. 2 seeds Germany secured their last-four slot here in Prostejov courtesy of a 2-1 victory over Bulgaria following a nerveless display in the decisive doubles by Diego Dedura-Palomero and Niels McDonald.

Dedura-Palomero and McDonald were calmness personified as they dispatched Ivan Ivanov and Stanislav Kosev 6-4 6-0, the culmination of a showdown which had earlier seen Dedura-Palomero overcome Kosev and Ivanov defeat McDonald in the singles.

Germany now face Kazakhstan, who defeated Slovenia, for a place in the final and whatever happens over the coming days they have at least matched the fourth-place finished they achieved at last year’s ITF World Junior Tennis Finals.

But there is a steeliness about this Germany team and ever since finishing as runners-up to Italy during European qualifying in July, there is an appetite and desire within the camp to go one step further.

“We are delighted,” Germany captain Peter Pfannkoch told itftennis.com. “We have been on the road for six weeks now with a lot of tournaments and a lot of tough matches.

“We finished second in European qualifying, which was a big result for us. Being in the semi-finals tells us everything we need to know about the work we have done in the last few weeks.

“We have a strong team and we said after losing against Italy in the final of European qualifying that the boys are hot to do it here. We were very proud to make it here but, now we’re in the semi-finals, we want more.”

It is well documented that the list of esteemed players to have competed at the ITF World Junior Tennis Finals over the years, particularly here in Prostejov since 1999, is both long and distinguished.

The likes of Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, Ashleigh Barty, Daniil Medvedev, Ons Jabeur, Iga Swiatek, Coco Gauff, Frances Tiafoe, Carlos Alcaraz and Leylah Fernandez have all contested the event before progressing along the player pathway.

As well as captaining Germany’s boys since 2019, Pfannkoch also held the position between 1998 and 2000 – a period which included the transfer of the tournament from Japan to its current venue – and witnessed some special intakes of players.

During Pfannkoch’s first stint at the Germany helm, Nadal, Andy Murray, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, Richard Gasquet, Barbora Strycova, Dinara Safina and Marcel Granollers all featured in opposing teams. He has particularly strong memories of Nadal.

“Even at the age of 13, on and off court, Nadal lived for tennis,” said Pfannkoch. “I am always telling these young guys that Nadal, who competed at the tournament in 1999 and 2000, was practising as hard then as he is now. It was incredible to see.

“He used to go out after his match with a couple of hitting partners and work for two or three hours with a passion that I haven’t seen before or since. Nadal was different to almost every other player at the tournament. His attitude was just different and was just like it is nowadays.

“My memories of this event are so good because this is the starting point for everyone who wants to achieve a big career. But people also have to understand that it’s a long road and that you have to hang in there every single day.

“When we talk about Rafa, he is this model that everyone should look up to and realise that he came from here and he was once in exactly the same position as all the players competing here. It is the best story to tell the guys.”

Elsewhere, the Kazakhstan juggernaut shows no sign of slowing and they will take their place in tomorrow’s semi-finals following a powerful 2-0 victory over Slovenia. Singles victories for Daniel Tazabekov and Zangar Nurlanuly secured Kazakhstan’s success.

Kazakhstan had never previously qualified for the Finals of a flagship ITF junior team event but are now one win away from reaching the final and two from lifting silverware. It is a truly remarkable story.

The other semi-final will see No. 3 seeds USA take on Switzerland. The USA were indebted to doubles pairing Keaton Hance and Jack Kennedy who overpowered Gyeom Do and Se Hyuk Cho of Korea, Republic 6-2 6-2. The tie had been locked at 1-1 after singles wins for Kennedy and Cho.

Switzerland, meanwhile, continue to impress and they dispatched Argentina 2-0 following convincing singles wins for Thomas Gunzinger and Flynn Thomas.

A full list of results from day of the 2022 ITF World Junior Tennis Finals is available here.