Juvan seals a second tennis gold and Argentina duo win on home soil
Budding Slovenian tennis star Kaja Juvan won her second gold medal of the Youth Olympic Games Buenos Aires 2018 before home favourites Facundo Diaz Acosta and Sebastian Baez won the men’s tennis doubles in front of more than 5,000 spectators at Green Park. Japanese duo Yuki Naito and Naiko Tajima sealed the last gold medal of the day with a victory against Colombian duo Maria Camila Osorio Serrano and Nicolas Mejia in the mixed doubles gold medal match.
Tennis
Juvan’s win in the women’s singles final saw the 17-year-old defeat France’s Clara Burel in a close-fought 7-5, 6-4 win. Juvan had won the women’s doubles final alongside Poland’s Iga Swiatek in an epic three-set win against Japan duo Yuki Naito and Naho Sato on Saturday 13 October. That particular match went the distance, with Juvan and Swiatek winning 10-4 to land the gold.
The stands at the Lawn Tennis Club then filled with light blue and white colours representing the host country for the second final of the afternoon, the men’s doubles.
Such were the welcoming surroundings for Argentine pair, Diaz Acosta and Baez, that they were inspired to taking every opportunity they had to attack and close the points. In the end, they won a difficult final 6-4, 6-4 against Bulgaria’s Adrian Andreev and Australia’s Rinky Hijikata.
Baez, current No.2 in the world junior ranking, thanked the public for its massive support: “Everyone wanted the same thing as we did, and that was beautiful. It’s much more enjoyable when one is playing at home.”
Baez’ doubles partner Diaz Acosta, who took the silver medal in the men’s singles tournament on Saturday, described how he was moved during Sunday’s medal ceremony. "When I heard the Argentine anthem and saw the flag rise, I got goosebumps. It was something indescribable, and especially with everyone singing it," Diaz Acosta said.
His partner Baez agreed: "It was a tremendous week that I will never forget. "In the last action of the day, Naito made amends for missing out on the gold medal in the women’s doubles by earning top spot on the podium in the mixed doubles. Alongside compatriot Tajima, the duo ran out 6-2, 6-3 winners to bring the tennis action to a close.