Reims, France – After three days of intense competition at what is widely regarded as “The World Event of University Tennis”, Team Great Britain emerged victorious, claiming Gold at the 2025 Master’U BNP Paribas Championship. The British team dethroned perennial powerhouse Team USA in Sunday’s thrilling championship match.
The victory marks Great Britain’s first Gold at the Championship since 2017, ending a five-year streak of dominance by Team USA, which holds the record for the most gold medals in the tournament’s history.
Read More: U.S. Faces Germany in World Juniors Opener at Grand Casino Arena
Championship Match: A Back-and-Forth Battle
The final opened with a strong start from Team Great Britain. Oliver Okonkwo (Illinois) and Finlay Murgett (Auburn) delivered dominant performances in singles play, giving the Brits an early 2-0 lead. Okonkwo overcame Nicolas Kotzen (Columbia) 7-5, 3-6, 10-6 in a decisive match, while Murgett defeated Aidan Kim (Ohio State) 6-2, 7-6 to solidify the advantage.
However, Team USA responded with determination. Reese Brantmeier (North Carolina) and Valerie Glozman (Stanford) earned straight-set victories in women’s singles, leveling the match at 2-2. Brantmeier defeated Eliz Maloney 6-4, 6-1, and Glozman overcame Grace Piper (USC) 6-4, 6-2, keeping the Americans in contention.
Doubles Play Sets the Stage for a Decisive Mixed Doubles
In doubles competition, the teams split points once again. Great Britain claimed the men’s doubles point, while Team USA secured the women’s doubles after a tense three-set tiebreaker. Luciana Perry (Ohio State) and Brantmeier triumphed 6-1, 6-7, 10-3 to force a winner-takes-all mixed doubles showdown.
The mixed doubles match paired Kotzen and Perry for Team USA against Jamie Connell (Furman/Florida State) and Sophia Johnson (Old Dominion) for Great Britain. After the Brits captured the first set, Team USA fought back in the second, sending the match to a decisive third-set tiebreaker. Despite a valiant effort from Kotzen and Perry, Connell and Johnson pulled ahead late, winning 10-7 to secure Gold for Great Britain.
Historical Context and Medal Standings
This Gold medal represents only the second time in tournament history that Great Britain has claimed the top prize. In Sunday’s third-place match, Team France defeated Team Australia to take home Bronze on home soil.
Team USA’s impressive run may have fallen just short, but the squad demonstrated remarkable resilience and skill, earning a hard-fought Silver medal at the 2025 Championship.
Quarterfinals: Team USA def. Team Ireland 4-0
- Men’s Singles: Nicolas Kotzen (USA) def. Freddy Murray (IRL) 6-3, 6-1
- Men’s Singles: Aidan Kim (USA) def. Conor Gannon (IRL) 3-6, 6-4, 10-4
- Women’s Singles: Luciana Perry (USA) def. Breda Brennan (IRL) 6-2, 6-1
- Women’s Singles: Valerie Glozman (USA) def. Aisling O’Connor (IRL) 6-3, 6-3
- Men’s Doubles: Banerjee/Kim (USA) def. McDonnell/Murray (IRL) 8-4
- Women’s Doubles: Brantmeier/Perry (USA) def. Gardiner/O’Connor (IRL) 8-4
- Mixed Doubles: Brantmeier/Banerjee (USA) def. Gardiner/McDonnell 8-3
Semifinals: Team USA def. Team France 4-3
- Men’s Singles: Arthur Nagel (FRA) def. Nicolas Kotzen (USA) 4-6, 6-3, 10-8
- Men’s Singles: Aidan Kim (USA) def. Hugo Car (FRA) 6-4, 6-4
- Women’s Singles: Reese Brantmeier (USA) def. Savine Erler (FRA) 6-4, 6-4
- Women’s Singles: Alice Robbe (FRA) def. Valerie Glozman (USA) 6-3, 1-6, 10-6
- Men’s Doubles: Car/Nagel (FRA) def. Kim/Kotzen (USA) 6-2, 4-6, 10-3
- Women’s Doubles: Brantmeier/Perry (USA) def. Leclercq/Robbe (FRA) 6-3, 7-6
- Mixed Doubles: Kotzen/Perry (USA) def. Jucha/Leclercq (FRA) 6-3, 6-4
Finals: Team Great Britain def. Team USA 4-3
- Men’s Singles: Oliver Okonkwo (GBR) def. Nicolas Kotzen (USA) 7-5, 3-6, 10-6
- Men’s Singles: Finlay Murgett (GBR) def. Aidan Kim (USA) 6-2, 7-6
- Women’s Singles: Reese Brantmeier (USA) def. Eliz Maloney (GBR) 6-4, 6-1
- Women’s Singles: Valerie Glozman (USA) def. Grace Piper (GBR) 6-4, 6-2
- Men’s Doubles: Murgett/Okonkwo (GBR) def. Banerjee/Kim (USA) 6-4, 6-4
- Women’s Doubles: Brantmeier/Perry (USA) def. Johnson/Piper (GBR) 6-1, 6-7, 10-3
- Mixed Doubles: Connel/Johnson (GBR) def. Kotzen/Perry (USA) 6-1, 4-6, 10-
Frequently Asked Questions
Which players were instrumental for Great Britain’s victory?
Oliver Okonkwo and Finlay Murgett delivered key singles wins, while Jamie Connell and Sophia Johnson clinched the final mixed doubles match that secured Gold.
What was the final score in the mixed doubles that decided the championship?
Great Britain’s Jamie Connell and Sophia Johnson defeated Team USA’s Nicolas Kotzen and Luciana Perry 10-7 in the third-set tiebreaker.
Who won the Bronze medal?
Team France claimed Bronze after defeating Team Australia in the third-place match.
How many times has Great Britain won the Championship?
With the 2025 victory, Great Britain has now won twice in the tournament’s history.
How dominant has Team USA been historically?
Team USA has been the most successful nation in the Championship’s history, including a five-year consecutive Gold medal streak leading up to 2025.
Where can I see a full recap of Team USA’s matches?
A complete match-by-match recap of Team USA’s performance at the 2025 Championship is available in the detailed report below.
Conclusion
The 2025 Master’U BNP Paribas Championship showcased the very best of university tennis, with thrilling matches, remarkable comebacks, and a display of skill and determination from all teams. While Team USA’s five-year reign came to an end, the Americans demonstrated resilience and tenacity, ultimately earning a well-deserved Silver medal.
