Team GB 14&Under consisting of Josh Sapwell, Alex Sendegeya and Peter Ashley flew out to Magaluf, Spain last Friday in preparation for the European Team Summer Cup Qualifiers, which started on Monday. GB were drawn against Portugal in the 1st round with Josh playing at No.1 in the singles rubber. Rankings wise Portugal were the weakest team in the qualifying and Team GB were far too strong for the opposition. Josh ran out and easy winner 6-1 6-1, dominating with his serve and penetrating ground-strokes. The team won both the singles rubbers and the doubles rubber, dropping only 10 games in the process.

In the 2nd Round of qualifying GB faced a very tricky tie against hosts Spain who had beaten one of the favourites Germany in the 1st round. First on court were the No.2 singles rubber in which Alex Sendegeya battled for 3 hours and eventually overcame his opponent 6-3 4-6 7-5. Next it was the No.1 Singles rubber with Josh, knowing that a win would lead to GB qualifying for the Summer Cup Main Draw. After watching his opponent play the day before, Josh went into the match with a definite game plan which paid off in a 6-3 6-4 win. With Team GB sneaking the doubles as well in a 3rd set tie break 10-7, this set up a match with Poland on the last day, safe in the knowledge that both teams had qualified.

Poland were one of the strongest teams in the qualifying stages and this showed when they took the No.2 singles rubber with No.24 Kamil Majchrzak overcoming Alex in straight sets 6-3 6-3. Next was Josh who faced Tennis Europe No.3 Phillip Gresk. Phillip is well known on the junior circuit as he stands at 6ft6" at the age of 14! In the 1st set Phillip was unstoppable, serving and returning huge and dominating right from the start of the points. 

Fortunately Josh stayed calm after losing the 1st set 0-6 and started to return his opponents serve with much more ease, allowing him to dictate the points more often. A tight second set ended in Josh playing a strong tie break and take the second set. This gave Josh a big lift and at the same time deflated his opponent. Josh raced through the 3rd set and won the match 0-6 7-6(7-3) 6-1. Unfortunately the Polish team were too strong in the doubles and Team GB lost in straight sets.

So Team GB qualify for the final 8, which is also held in Magaluf, and have been drawn against No.2 seeds Italy in the Quarter Finals. This means Josh will meet the Italian and European Ranked No.1 Gianluigi Quinzi. A tough tie but one the team are looking forward to.

Released: 01/07/10