Junior Masters in Monte Carlo: UK leads with two titles, followed by Romania

The Monte-Carlo Country Club was full of excitement from October 23 to 26 as it hosted the 2024 Tennis Europe Junior Masters. This round-robin tournament brought together the best boys and girls from across Europe in the 14 and 16 & Under age groups, all competing for one of the biggest titles in junior tennis.

Girls 14&U

In the Girls’ Singles U14 at the Monte Carlo Junior Masters, Katerina Zajickova from the Czech Republic dominated her group. She secured Group A with an undefeated record, winning every match without losing a set. Over in Group B, Megan Knight from the UK showed consistent form, winning two out of her three matches to advance to the playoffs.

In the semifinals, Knight pulled off a remarkable upset against Group A leader Zajickova, taking the match 6-1, 6-4 to book her place in the final. On the other side, Anastasiia Nikolaieva of Ukraine defeated Viktorija Cesonyte from Germany in straight sets, ensuring her spot in the top four with an impressive performance.

Boys 14&U

At the Monte Carlo Junior Masters, Scott Watson from the UK had an impressive run in the Boys’ Singles U14 category. He dominated Group A, winning every match without conceding a set. This secured him the top position with a flawless performance. In Group B, Spain’s Toni Escarda Pineiro also impressed by winning all of his matches, maintaining an impeccable record in sets.

In the playoffs, Watson and Escarda Pineiro clashed in a very competitive three-set battle. After an intense exchange, Watson emerged victorious with a 6-3, 4-6, 6-3 win, showing resilience and skill to advance. Meanwhile, France’s Pablo Pradat and Germany’s Johann Nagel-Heyer showcased strong play, with both players making it into the top four.

Girls 16&U

The Girls’ Singles U16 category at the Monte Carlo Junior Masters saw Tea Kovacevic of Bosnia and Herzegovina dominated Group A, winning all of her matches, losing only one set. In Group B, Latvia’s Vlada Razina led the standings with two victories and a solid overall performance.

In the playoff matches, Kovacevic defeated Razina in the semifinals with a 6-0, 7-6(3) win, advancing to the final after a commanding start followed by a challenging second set. In the other semifinal, Romania’s Ioana Maria Sandru triumphed over Selena Romero Calvo from Spain, securing her spot in the final with a confident showing.

Boys 16&U

Yannick Alexandrescou from Romania was in peak form in the Boys’ Singles U16 category at the Monte Carlo Junior Masters. He showed his prowess in Group A by winning all his matches and sets convincingly. In Group B, Slovenia’s Mark Becirovic Novak took charge, finishing at the top with three wins and winning 85.7% of sets.

In the semifinals, Alexandrescou faced Becirovic Novak and dominated with a decisive 6-1, 6-0 victory to move into the final round. Portugal’s Goncalo da Rosa Castro also made a strong impression, overcoming Marko Savija from Serbia in a close encounter to secure his place among the semifinalists.

Impact on Tennis Europe ranking

The Monte Carlo Junior Masters had a significant impact on the Tennis Europe rankings, with several countries picking up valuable points thanks to their players’ performances. The UK came out on top with 400 points, largely due to Scott Watson’s victory in the U14 boys’ competition and Megan Knight’s impressive showing in the U14 girls’ event. Romania took second place with 250 points, driven by Yannick Theodor Alexandrescou’s success in the U16 boys’ category. Bosnia and Herzegovina earned third place with 200 points, thanks to Tea Kovacevic’s outstanding performance in the U16 girls’ bracket.

Overall, the tournament showcased the emerging talent across Europe. Each player’s performance contributed to their country’s progress in the Tennis Europe rankings.