 Photographer: Susan Mullane
Date: 04 Jul 2009 |  Photographer: Susan Mullane
Date: 05 Jul 2009 |  Photographer: Susan Mullane
Date: 04 Jul 2009 |  Photographer: Susan Mullane
Date: 06 Jul 2009 |  Photographer: Susan Mullane
Date: 04 Jul 2009 |  Photographer: Susan Mullane
Date: 05 Jul 2009 |  Photographer: Susan Mullane
Date: 05 Jul 2009 |  Photographer: Susan Mullane
Date: 05 Jul 2009 |
|
| 06 Jul 2009 - Wimbledon - James Harrisson | |
| Kuznetsov and Lertcheewakarn claim junior Wimbledon titles |
Andrey Kuznetsov became the first Russian in over 40 years to win the boys’ title, while Noppawan Lertcheewakarn was the first Thai player ever to lift the girls’ trophy.
Lertcheewakarn, the 2008 ITF Junior world champion, was finalist at Wimbledon in 2008 but went one better this year, coming from behind to defeat French world No.1 Kristina Mladenovic 36 63 61 in front of a large crown on Court No.1. “It’s good – it’s for Thai people”, she said of her win, “it means everything”.
Having saved five match points in her opening match against Alejandra Granillo (MEX), Lertcheewakarn cruised through to the final without dropping another set, including a 62 60 demolition of sixth seeded Hungarian Timea Babos in the semifinal. Mladenovic had dropped just four games in her previous two matches going in to the final and was favourite to add to the junior Roland Garros title she picked up last month. However, the Thai fourth seed withstood some ferocious hitting from her French opponent and dominated the final set to lift the trophy. “Noppawan was better than me today”, said Mladenovic after the match. “I had some problems but I tried to give my best and I have no regrets about that”.
Kuznetsov also had to come from behind as he overcame American Jordan Cox 46 62 62 to win his maiden junior Grand Slam. The unseeded Russian dropped just one set prior to the final and came thorough a tough semifinal against Australian Bernard Tomic, 63 76(6).
Cox was looking to become the first qualifier to lift the trophy in the history of the event and showed his will to win as he reached the final with an incredible 63 67(7) 16-14 victory over his compatriot and doubles partner Devin Britton. Cox claimed the first set as Kuznetsov pushed a forehand long but the Russian broke twice in both remaining sets to clinch victory. “I still can’t believe I made it”, said Kuznetsov. “I couldn’t show my best in the beginning. But in the second set I relaxed a little…then just used my chances to win this match”.
The girls’ doubles event was effectively a rematch of the singles final, as Lertcheewakarn teamed up with Australian Sally Peers to face Mladenovic and Croatian Silvia Njiric. Again it was the Thai player who came out victorious, as Lertcheewakarn and Peers won convincingly, 61 61.
The boys’ doubles final was about as thrilling as the mens’ final that took place at the same time. Pierre-Hugues Herbert from France and German Kevin Krawietz eventually triumphed against the all-French team of Julien Obry and Adrien Puget, 67(3) 62 12-10.
Related Articles
> Kuznetsov claims junior Wimbledon crown
> Lertcheewakan wins junior girls title at Wimbledon
> Singles finals line-up decided in Wimbledon
> Doubles partnership turns to rivalry
> Defending champion Robson crashes out of Wimbledon
> Tuesday at the Junior Wimbledon Championships
> Mladenovic and Robson win first round matches
> Junior Wimbledon kicks off at SW19
> Junior Wimbledon preview
> Junior Wimbledon acceptance lists out now
^ Back to Top
|
