Tue, September 15, 2009
Channel Islander Heather Watson became the first British winner of the junior girls title at the US Open on Sunday when she defeated Yana Buchina of Russia 6-4, 6-1 in the final.
The 17-year-old hails from Guernsey off the northern coast of France, but had to travel away from home to get the coaching she needed as the island had only a handful of courts.
She is currently based at the famed Nick Bollettieri tennis school in Florida.
Most of the attention in Britain, where women's tennis has been in the doldrums since the days of Virginia Wade and Sue Barker in the 1970s, has been on 15-year-old prodigy Laura Robson, who won the Wimbledon title last year.
But she lost in the semi-finals to Buchina, spoiling the hopes for an all-British final.
Watson, though, was a different prospect. She fell behind early 1-3 before playing her way back into the match against her doubles partner.
The British player pocketed the first set and then broke to lead at the start of the second and never looked like being caught after that.
"When I won, I hadn't realized I'd won. I thought, 'Oh, I won the match.' And then I put my racquet down, and it finally began to sink in. It feels great," she said.
"I think I'm the first British junior to win the girls and Andy Murray won the boys about five years ago. I'm really proud of myself."
Asked if she had been inspired by Robson's win at Wimbledon last year Watson replied: "Definitely. She's doing really well at a very young age.
"It would have been good to have an all British final, but she had it tough yesterday.
"It's really good for British tennis, and we're starting to come through."
(Agencies)
