 Photographer: Corinne Dubreuil
Date: 27 Jan 2007 |  Photographer: Corinne Dubreuil
Date: 27 Jan 2007 |  Photographer: Corinne Dubreuil
Date: 27 Jan 2007 |  Photographer: Corinne Dubreuil
Date: 27 Jan 2007 |  Photographer: Corinne Dubreuil
Date: 27 Jan 2007 |  Photographer: Corinne Dubreuil
Date: 27 Jan 2007 |  Photographer: Corinne Dubreuil
Date: 27 Jan 2007 |
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| 27 Jan 2007 - Melbourne, Australia - Eleanor Preston |  Related Audio |
| Klein and Pavlyuchenkova majestic in Melbourne |
 ITF JUNIOR RADIO SHOW AO FINAL 07 (MP3 format)
An Interview with Brydan Klein (MP3 format)
An Interview with Anastasia Pavlychenkova (MP3 format)
An Interview with Madison Brengle (MP3 format)
 
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Australian Brydan Klein and Russia’s Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova are this year’s Australian Open junior champions after two entertaining singles finals at Melbourne Park. Klein took his debut junior grand slam title with a 62 46 61 win over France’s Jonathan Eysseric in the prestigious Rod Laver Arena; while Pavlyuchenkova beat Madison Brengle 76 76 to earn her second consecutive Australian Open crown and her third junior grand slam trophy.
Seventeen-year-old Klein was in tears as he accepted his trophy from his childhood hero Patrick Rafter and Australian doubles legend Todd Woodbridge in front of a sizeable crowd on Melbourne Park’s 15,000-seater centre court. “I went over to my mum and dad and my mum was crying and that kind of started me off,” said Klein, whose parents had travelled from Perth to watch him. “First of all, I was excited. It's obviously a great opportunity. Before the match I was really nervous, not really knowing what to expect going out there, not knowing how many people were going to be out there. But as soon as I played the first point, the nerves went because the crowd was totally on my side. That’s why I got off to a good start.”
Eysseric, the tournament’s second seed, looked a little overawed by playing the biggest match of his junior career on one of tennis’ most famous courts. “I think he was pretty nervous to start with because he missed a few easy forehands in the first game,” said Klein. “I think he came back in the second set and played better tennis than the first set. I had to lift my game for the third, and I thought I did.”
Fifteen-year-old Pavlyuchenkova already knew what it felt like to win a junior Australian Open – she beat Caroline Wozniacki in last year’s final – but appeared to enjoy the experience a lot more the second time around. She and Brengle fought a gritty and high quality battle on the Margaret Court Arena, one which suggests they will meet again in the latter stages of women’s events in the future. “She played really well today. It was a tough match,” said Pavlyuchenkova. “I was holding this trophy for a second time. It's really great for me. I mean, yeah, it's awesome. I thought it was going to be difficult for me to win this tournament again because was a little bit of pressure on me and the juniors so good.”
Brengle could take consolation from her performance and was congratulated afterwards by American tennis legend Tracy Austin, fresh from providing television commentary on the women’s final for Australian broadcaster Channel Seven. Austin, who first won the US Open women’s title at 14, was impressed with Brengle’s efforts and made a special effort to meet the young American.
“I am a little bit relieved that it’s over because it was a tough couple of weeks and I now I can relax,” said 16-year-old Brengle. “I am really happy with my week. I would have loved to have won but I am still very, very happy to make the final. I was very happy with how I played but she just came up very well on the big points.”
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