 Photographer: Susan Mullane
Date: 10 Jun 2007 |  Photographer: Corinne Dubreuil
Date: 27 Jan 2007 |  Photographer: Susan Mullane
Date: 07 Jun 2007 |  Photographer: Hiromasa Mano
Date: 12 Oct 2006 |  Photographer: Susan Mullane
Date: 03 Jul 2006 |  Photographer: Corinne Dubreuil
Date: 25 Jan 2007 |
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| 29 Jun 2007 - ITF - James Harrisson | |
| Junior Wimbledon Preview |
The All England Club in South West London will open its doors to the future stars of the game, as Junior Wimbledon gets under way in week two of the Championships.
In the 60th anniversary of the junior event, top players from around the globe will look to emulate the success of past champions such as Bjorn Borg, Tracy Austin, Roger Federer and Martina Hingis.
Favourite to lift the girls’ trophy will be Russia’s world number one, Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova. The current US Open and two-time Australian Open champion has a formidable record on the ITF Junior Circuit, with thirteen titles to her name. However, a first round loss at last year’s Championships, as well as a 60 61 loss in the first round of the main draw, show that any weakness in her game could well be exposed on grass.
Two more strong contenders are Russians Anastasia Pivovarova and Evgeniya Rodina. Italian Open champion Pivovarova won three consecutive titles at the start of 2007, sending her to number two in the rankings, but is currently in search of a return to form, having won just three matches in her last two events. Rodina is seeking her first title since 2004, but is a consistent performer on the junior circuit and, with a WTA ranking of 164, her experience in the professional game may prove invaluable.
Australian Open and Roland Garros semifinalist Ksenia Milevskaya (BLR) and Orange Bowl Champion Nikola Hofmanova (AUT) are also amongst the favourites, while there are several lower ranked players who have the ability to cause an upset. Naomi Cavaday (GBR) held two match points before going out to Martina Hingis in the main draw, while Australian Open finalist Madison Brengle (USA) and Roland Garros runner-up Mariana Duque-Marino (COL) could prove a threat if they manage to adapt to the faster playing surface.
World number one Uladzimir Ignatik from Belarus is one of the favourites to win the boys’ title, following wins at Roland Garros and the Grade A Gopa Gerdau. However, playing his first year on the ITF Junior Circuit, the sixteen year-old has won just three matches when not playing on surfaces other than clay.
Others who could triumph if they are able to successfully negotiate the transition to grass are Matteo Trevisan (ITA) and Fernando Romboli (BRA). Trevisan won the Grade A Italian Open on home soil following his domination of the European clay court season, which saw him claim three consecutive titles, while Romboli has reached four finals this year, claiming two titles.
American Donald Young became the youngest ever boys’ Grand Slam champion when he won the 2005 Australian Open. He finished that year ranked number one and remained in the top ten throughout 2006, while concentrating on his professional career. In his final junior year Young will be determined to go out on a high with victory at the All England Club.
France’s Jonathan Eysseric took to the grass like a duck to water by winning the warm-up event in Roehampton and will be looking to improve upon an already impressive record, which has seen him crowned European champion and reach the final of the Australian Open, where he lost to Australian Brydon Klein. Klein, along with compatriot Greg Jones, runner-up in Roland Garros, could prove a dangerous opponent, as his big serve will be well suited to the grass court game.
For daily reports and draws visit www.itftennis.com/juniors
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