Article 04 Nov 2022

'We can challenge anybody': Team spirit powering USA's bid for glory

Ross McLean

04 Nov 2022

Whether it is karaoke, fizzing down water park slides or jumping into the Mediterranean – you’ll have to watch the video for the inside story – USA have a team spirit which is powering their title charge in Antalya.

That is the view of Clervie Ngounoue, who before travelling to Turkey for the Billie Jean King Cup Juniors by BNP Paribas Finals barely knew teammates Iva Jovic and Valerie Glozman. However, before the tournament had even started, she was already referring to them as “sisters”.

On court, the unity has been equally as strong and after an impeccable group-stage campaign, the United States surged into the Billie Jean King Cup Juniors semi-finals following victory over Germany in today’s last-eight showdown. Serbia await in the semis.

By beating Sonja Zhiyenbayeva 4-6 6-3 6-1, Ngounoue claimed the point which propelled the United States into an unassailable lead following Jovic’s earlier defeat of Josy Daems. The 14-year-old prevailed 6-0 7-5.

“Team spirit is so important,” Ngounoue, who has won all five matches she has contested across singles and doubles this week, told itftennis.com.

“You never know who you are going to get and I didn’t really know either of the girls before this. I had perhaps met Iva briefly at the US Open, but I didn’t know her.

“It is such a blessing to have teammates that you can count on and while we don’t agree on everything, the support and love we have for each other is there all the time. The confidence we have in each other is what is keeping us going and pushing us through.”

USA are the most successful team in Billie Jean King Cup Juniors history with six titles and they certainly look a formidable outfit as they bid to top the competition’s podium for the first time since 2019. Ngounoue believes they are moving through the gears nicely.

“I think we’re getting better as the tournament goes on,” said the 16-year-old, who represented the United States at the 2019 ITF World Junior Tennis Finals in Prostejov, Czech Republic.

“I have only felt progress since the first day. It’s been a process and I feel like we’re going through it the way we should. There have been some ups and downs but as a team we have stuck together and pulled ourselves out of any problems.

“We are on our way to the semi-finals and throughout the whole tournament that confidence has been there. We feel like we can challenge anybody. We’ve convinced ourselves of that and we’re now proving it to ourselves. We feel we belong here and can do this.”

Serbia set up what promises to be a high-octane last-four showdown with the United States courtesy of a 2-1 victory over Argentina, with Teodora Kostovic and Mia Ristic claiming singles victories over Carla Markus and Luisina Giovannini respectively.

The other semi-final sees Japan take on Czech Republic. Japan dispatched Australia 2-1, although the showdown was concluded by the time of the doubles after singles triumphs for Mayu Crossley and Sara Saito.

Czech Republic, meanwhile, are one victory away from having the chance to defend the crown they won at last year’s extravaganza following a 2-1 triumph over hosts Türkiye. Lucie Urbanova and Tereza Valentova did the damage in the singles.