South America nations complete Finals line-up
Paraguay, Bolivia, Argentina, Peru and Brazil were the final nations to join the list of teams to qualify for the Junior Davis and Junior Fed Cup by BNP Paribas Finals, following the South American qualifying rounds held at Club Palestino in Santiago, Chile.
In the boys’ draw, third seeds Paraguay enjoyed an undefeated week as they swept aside all before them, including second seeds Peru. Despite fielding the youngest No. 2 Aad No. 2 boys' player combination at this year's South America Qualifying event, the Paraguayans showed no sign of inexperience as they came from behind against a tricky Peruvian side to claim victory in a deciding doubles match tiebreak.
The second qualifying spot went to Bolivia, who, although unseeded going into the week, were in impressive form. Having been dispatched 3-0 by fourth seeds Colombia on the opening day, the Bolivians rallied to claw back a 2-1 victory over favourites and No.1 seeds Argentina before making light work of both Uruguay and Chile.
Paraguay enjoyed a 2-0 win over Bolivia in the final and the two teams will now join 14 other boys teams who will battle it out for top spot at the Junior Davis and Junior Fed Cup by BNP Paribas Finals in Orlando, Florida, which will run between 24th-29th September.
Last year’s champions Spain will be in attendance alongside fellow European qualifiers Ukraine, Great Britain, Czech Republic, Serbia and France, who were eventual winners at the European qualifying event earlier this month.
Other nations present at the Finals include Australia, Canada and USA as well as a strong Asian contingent of Japan and Hong Kong. Morocco, Egypt and Syria have also qualified.
In Junior Fed Cup, meanwhile, Argentina roared their way through the draw without dropping a point until the final against Peru, during which Solana Sierra was narrowly defeated by Dana Guzman.
The Peruvians pushed Argentina all the way in the play-off match for first place before falling 10-7 in the deciding doubles match tiebreak as the pairing of Sierra and Serena Pereyra proved too strong.
The final qualifying spot went to Brazil, who overcame Colombia in the 3-4 place play-off to ensure their place. Their progress looked to be in danger when No2. seed Priscila Janikian lost the first set 6-2 to Isabella Rivera. However, Janikian fought back to take the match 2-6 6-3 6-4 and then followed this up with a superb doubles performance alongside Juliana Munhoz to clinch the deciding match 7-5 4-6 10-4 and ensure that Brazil would be joining Argentina and Peru at the Finals.
The trio of South Americans will also be joined by European qualifiers Czech Republic, Serbia, Italy, Germany and France as well as Russia, who were victorious at the European qualifying event held in Budapest, Hungary earlier this month.
France will be one of six nations competing in both the Junior Fed and Davis Cup when in Orlando alongside Canada, Czech Republic, Morocco, Serbia and USA.
The other nations heading to Orlando are China, Chinese Tapei, Korea Rep. and Thailand.