In a tight final of the Petits As 2025 contested in Tarbes, this Sunday, the Russian Ekaterina Dotsenko won over the Latvian Darina Matvejeva in two sets (6-3; 6-4) to win the 43rd edition of the Under-14 World Cup years.
Magnificent apotheosis, this Sunday, of the Mondial Wilson of Tarbes which pulled out all the stops from 2 p.m. in order to crown its new queen as were at the central Tarbes the Marion Bartoli (1998), Martina Hingins (1991- 1992), Ana Kournikova (1994), etc.
Two different styles
Among the most prestigious tournaments on the planet, the Petits As are also a hit with guests with the appearances this week of Amélie Mauresmo, Alizée Cornet and Nicolas Canteloup.
The Little Aces – Christian Jarnot
The public also responded during the 10 days and was even warmer this Sunday, taking their seats early in the stands of the central court. And, it began to vibrate as soon as the names of the two contenders coming straight from Eastern countries were announced: Darina Matvejeva from Latvia and Ekaterina Dotsenko under the white flag because she is a player of Russian nationality.
Two players born in October 2011 but with different sizes: a slender Russian and a more powerful Latvian promising an uncertain outcome.
If the young Latvian spent fewer hours on the Tarbes courts during the week, by playing two sets less in the 8th then in the quarters and by qualifying for the final after her injured opponent abandoned (5-3), she seemed less fresh than her Russian opponent.
-Because, while Darina Matvejeva, seeded No. 2 and 2nd in the European junior rankings logically led in the first round by 2 to 0, the long rallies then benefited the seeded No.12 and 11th player in the European junior rankings. . Ekaterina Dotsenko, in fact, returned to equality and broke in turn to win 6-3.
The incisive Russian, the defensive Latvian
The close duel at the baseline continued, with each of the two players winning their serve; the Russian always showing herself to be more incisive than the Latvian on the defensive.
But a real wall, Darina Matvejeva showed resistance on the opponent's climbs to the net before committing direct errors that were crippling at this level. Once again broken (4 to 2), the Latvian surprised her opponent and held on to come back from 40-0 to tie before breaking with a masterful shot at the net, applauded by a passionate Tarbes audience.
Ekaterina Dotsenko and her compatriot Mariia Makarova
Supported on each winning shot, the latter came back to 4 all before faltering in the following game offering Ekaterina Dotsenko easy points. No doubt worn out, the Latvian offered the Russian 2 match points.
The first was enough for the latter to register, one year after her compatriot Mariia Makarova, her name on the Petits As 2025 list.
