 Photographer: Corinne Dubreuil
Date: 31 Jan 2009 |  Photographer: Corinne Dubreuil
Date: 31 Jan 2009 |  Photographer: Corinne Dubreuil
Date: 31 Jan 2009 |  Photographer: Corinne Dubreuil
Date: 31 Jan 2009 |  Photographer: Corinne Dubreuil
Date: 31 Jan 2009 |  Photographer: Corinne Dubreuil
Date: 31 Jan 2009 |
|
| 31 Jan 2009 - Melbourne, Australia - Eleanor Preston | |
| Bhambri and Pervak take Melbourne by storm |
Yuki Bhambri of India and Russia’s Ksenia Pervak are the new junior Australian Open champions after both saved the best for the final day of competition. Bhambri beat German Alexandros-Fernandos Georgoudas 63 61 in the boys’ final; while Pervak was a 63 61 winner over Great Britain’s Laura Robson.
“I'm really exciting that I won here,” said Pervak, who never looked troubled against the reigning girls’ Wimbledon champion. “I knew that I am the best here, but it was a little bit hard to keep the nerves. Because you know that you are the best, but also you never know, like, what will happen like tomorrow. Maybe you'll have sick or have some problems. So it was a little bit hard, but I'm really happy that I did it.”
Seventeen-year-old Pervak has played a string of women’s events – winning three – and chose not play any junior tournaments last year. She was far more experienced than 15-year-old Robson but even she was a little overawed at playing the final on the famed 15,000-seater Rod Laver Arena. “It was the first time,” said Pervak. “That's why I was a little bit nervous in the morning. But I'm really glad that I keep it well and I really enjoyed it. Yeah, I really like it there.”
“I think generally she won because she played more consistent than me. So it's definitely disappointing to lose, but I thought I played as well as I could have,” said Robson. “I've played some senior matches as well. Maybe experience wasn't the key factor, but definitely her consistency was.”
Bhambri was certainly not overawed when he took his turn on the Rod Laver Arena and was far too strong from the outset for Georgoudas. The tournament’s top seed was, needless to say, delighted to have won his first junior grand slam title. “Winning the Australian Open is obviously a very big achievement, regardless of being the first Indian. I mean, that's actually news to me. But I dreamed of winning it, and it's come true,” said Bhambri.
Francis Casey Alcantra of the Philippines and Cheng-Peng Hsieh of Chinese Taipei are the new Australian Open boys doubles champions after beating Mikhal Biryukov of Russia and Yasutuka Uchiyama of Japan 64 62.
We played really good in the first set and even though they got a break back on us, we were serving well and returning well and we knew we’d be okay,” said Alcantara. “It’s such a pleasure for me to win here because it was always one of my dreams to play in a grand slam. I won the tournament and it’s a big one for me. For my partner it’s great because he’s got a great record in doubles at the grand slams.”
Christina McHale of the USA and Ajla Tomljanovic of Croatia won the girls’ doubles title with a dramatic 61 26 10-4 match tiebreake win over Alexandra Kunic of Serbia and Sandra Zaniewska of Poland. “We played well when we needed to,” said McHale. “It’s great to win here. The tournament didn’t start off the way I wanted it to (McHale lost to Robson in the first round of singles) but this was like the perfect ending to the trip for both of us. This is the biggest tournament that I’ve won in doubles. It definitely gives you confidence.”
Related Articles
> Freddie flies into final
> Lertcheewakarn sets up Robson rematch
> Juniors heat up in Melbourne
> Bhambri brings the heat to Melbourne Park
> Robson holds off McHale
> Marathon man Szabo wins opening day epic
> Australian Open Preview
> Australian Open Acceptance Lists Published
^ Back to Top
|
