USA triumphs in Maureen Connolly Challenge Trophy
USA triumphs in Maureen Connolly Challenge Trophy | 
The USA retained the Maureen Connolly Challenge Trophy at Devonshire Park, Eastbourne, defeating Great Britain by 16 sets to 15 in the 34th staging of the girls’ team competition between the two nations.
It was a chilly and blustery day in Eastbourne as Team GB and Team USA took to court to play the final two doubles rubbers. No.1 doubles pair Tara Moore and Katy Dunne faced top American pair Sloane Stephens and Grace Min, while No.2 doubles pair Eleanor Dean and Lucy Brown took on their counterparts Ester Goldfeld and Chanelle Van Nguyen.
Two tough days of competition told on the British pairing of Dean and Brown, as they struggled to keep up with their opponents’ greater experience, going down 2-6, 4-6.
With the score six rubbers to five in Great Britain’s favour, the tie rested on the result of the remaining doubles rubber.
Moore and Dunne battled their way through the first set, taking it 7-6 in the tie-break. They continued to press the American duo, breaking Min’s serve to go 5-4 up and serve for the match. But the British pair surrendered that break, and were faced with the prospect of serving to stay in the second set at 5-6.
Taking their second set point to level the rubber at one set all, the American pair had an extra spring in their step, and needed just one break of serve to come through it 6-3 in the third. With the rubbers tied at 6-6, the match was decided by a count-back of sets, the USA winning 16 sets to 15.
The American team members were delighted with their victory. “I’m so proud of my team,” said Channelle Van Nguyen, “I’m so proud of my teammates. We really wanted to win this.”
The USA’s Sloane Stephens said she was convinced her team could come back from their two-rubber deficit heading into the final day’s play.
“The score really didn’t matter, it was close, but we felt we were right in there the whole time, even thought we were losing,” said 17-year-old Stephens. “We felt like we were close and it would come together. We were down, and I was like: ‘Grace, we can do this’, and that’s when we broke, and started winning.”
Great Britain co-captain Claire Curran was gracious in defeat. “I think the US team has shown such fighting qualities throughout the whole three days,” said Curran. “Their backs were against the walls but they kept pushing. It’s disappointing but it’s been a fantastic event, and I’m really proud of all the girls.
Sissy Jeffett, whose mother Nancy founded the event, was delighted with this year’s competition which brings the teams’ head-to-head record to 21-11. “The level of competition has just been fantastic, both teams played so well, and it’s such a big thing to come out and play for your country, they all did really well,” said Jeffett. “It was great to see the USA come from behind, but they had to work for it, and it was fantastic to watch. We’re really delighted with the way it’s gone.”
Topics: Blustery Day, Challenge Trophy, Chanelle, Channelle, Devonshire Park, Dunne, Eastbourne, Eleanor, Girls Team, Lucy Brown, Maureen Connolly, Sloane, Tara Moore, Team Competition, Team Gb, Team Usa, Tie Break, Tough Days, Van Nguyen, Whole Time
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