Watson crowned US Open girls’ champion

 

Originally published on: 26/02/10 11:43

Heather Watson emerged from the shadows of Andy Murray and Laura Robson yesterday as the British junior No.1 claimed the US Open girls’ singles title with a 6-4 6-1 victory over Yana Buchina.

Murray won the boys’ singles crown in 2004, and now Britain has its first US Open girls’ champion in the form of the 17-year-old from Guernsey.

Watson had a great run to the final, coping with rain delays as well as overcoming some significant opponents.

Commenting on her win, Watson said “Every match I’ve been getting better and better. I beat the Wimbledon junior champion and the runner up of Roland Garros in my quarters and semis, and I’ve just been playing better and better.”

Watson recovered from a break down in the first set against her hard-hitting opponent, eventually wearing the Russian out with some tenacious defence. Facing points to slip 4-1 down, Watson rattled off four games to turn the complexion of the match around.

Despite being broken to love when serving for the set, Watson immediately broke back with a love break of her own to win the set 6-4. Two early breaks in the second set were enough to seal the win.

Watson, who trains at the Bollettieri tennis academy, joins an illustrious list of junior US Open winners that includes Victoria Azarenka (2005), Marion Bartoli (2001), Lindsay Davenport (1992) and Jennifer Capriati (1989).

The final was nearly an all-British affair were it not for Buchina, with Laura Robson losing out to the Russian 6-1 3-6 5-7 in Saturday’s rain delayed semi final.

Australia’s Bernard Tomic won the Boys Singles with a 6-1 6-3 victory over American Chase Buchanan to take the second junior grand slam title of his career.

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