 Photographer: Susan Mullane
Date: 01 Jul 2006 |  Photographer: Susan Mullane
Date: 01 Jul 2006 |  Photographer: Susan Mullane
Date: 01 Jul 2006 | | | |
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| 01 Jul 2006 - Wimbledon - Eleanor Preston | |
| Belic bursts onto Wimbledon scene |
Croatia’s Luka Belic got his junior Wimbledon off to the brightest possible start with a near-flawless 6-2, 6-1 victory over Australia’s Stephen Donald to earn a place in the second round. Belic made the most of the hot, July weather, which bathed the All England Club in sunshine just in time for the start of the junior tournament.
“I was expecting it to be a bit tougher than that,” said the 17-year-old. “I know he beat Philip Bester on grass in Roehampton last week and he had a good week there, and the Australians are always so good on grass. Also we played in Holland last year and he beat me in three sets. I think I played really well today. I had to.”
Belic hails from the picturesque seaside resort of Umag but trains at Croatia’s national training centre in Zagreb alongside last year’s junior Roland Garros champion Marin Cilic. ATP Tour pro Ivo Karlovic often trains at the same place and the success of Croatia’s male players is certainly a source of inspiration to Belic.
“My favourite player is Mario Ancic but everyone in Croatia knows about Goran Ivanisevic winning Wimbledon in 2001. I watched that final and now I am playing here.”
Belic admitted that Andre Agassi’s Centre Court swansong, the glorious weather and the World Cup fever coursing through Wimbledon made for a special atmosphere around the outside courts at Wimbledon. Belic said he enjoyed playing in front of the British tennis crowds. “I didn’t feel extra pressure but it made it more fun to play today and it was challenging,” said Belic. “The courts are so good here. I play well on clay and it is my favourite surface but I also like it here. I think I have a good serve and that helps.”
Belic, like all the juniors, has a day of rest on Sunday before preparing for his next match against American Clint Bowles, who beat promising British youngster Graeme Dyce 7-6. 6-4.
Pavel Chekhov of Russia scored the day’s biggest upset by knocking out France’s junior Australian Open champion Alexandre Sidorenko. Chekhov beat the fourth seed 1-6, 6-3, 6-4 and will play either Phillip Bester in the second round. American Kellen Damico is also through after easing past Thomas Fabbiano of Italy 6-4, 6-4.
The girls draw was blown wide open on Saturday when Russia’s top seed junior grand slam champion Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova was bundled out of Wimbledon in the first round by Kristina Kucova of Slovakia 61 76(10). The Russian could not find a reason for her lack of form today:
“I felt fine when I woke up but when I got on court I felt like I didn’t have much energy, I don’t know why. I tried to fight in the second set but in the end I couldn’t quite make it.”
Kucova set up a second round meeting with Dilyara Saidkhodjayeva of Uzbekistan. 12th seed Teliena Perreira of Brazil is also out after a 6-3, 1-6, 7-5 defeat to Valeria Pulido-Velasco of Mexico.
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