 Photographer: Susan Mullane
Date: 12 Sep 2009 |  Photographer: Susan Mullane
Date: 12 Sep 2009 |  Photographer: Susan Mullane
Date: 12 Sep 2009 |  Photographer: Susan Mullane
Date: 12 Sep 2009 |  Photographer: Susan Mullane
Date: 08 Sep 2009 |  Photographer: Susan Mullane
Date: 07 Sep 2009 |  Photographer: Susan Mullane
Date: 10 Sep 2009 |
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| 12 Sep 2009 - Flushing Meadows, New York - Sandra Harwitt |  Related Audio |
| American wildcard Chase Buchanan vying For US Open Junior Title |
 Heather Watson interview - Day 7 US Open 2009 (MP3 format)
Yana Buchina interview - Day 7 US Open 2009 (MP3 format)
 
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Unseeded wildcard recipient Chase Buchanan is the lone American still in position to deliver the US Open junior title on home turf.
Buchanan has been playing spectacular tennis all week long and continued his winning ways on Saturday when the junior tournament was moved indoors to the Sound Shore Indoor Tennis Club in Port Chester, New York due to rainy weather.
The American posted the biggest upset in the boys’ draw by upending reigning Australian Open champion and top seed Yuki Bhambri of India 63 76(4) in the quarterfinals.
Buchanan, who won the 2008 Easter Bowl title, finished off his successful Saturday by taking out eighth seed Gianni Mina of France 63 63 in the semifinals.
“It’s very exciting and it’s my last junior tournament, so I’m going to play it and have fun,” said the 18-year-old Buchanan, who returns to playing for Ohio State University after the US Open is over. “I wanted to test myself against those of my age, so I’m going to play free and enjoy it and I think I’ll do fine.”
Next up for Buchanan is another junior star – third seed Bernard Tomic of Australia, who knows all about being a junior champion from taking the title at the 2008 Australian Open.
“It feels great,” Tomic said. “I’ve been in this position before and have more experience that the other guys. In the final I’ll just have to come out and be aggressive.”
The 16-year-old Tomic came through unscathed against two unseeded opponents on Saturday. He beat Tiago Fernandes of Brazil 61 64 in the quarterfinals, and then ousted Pierre-Hugues Herbert of France 61 75(5).
“I like playing indoors, it’s a really good situation for me,” Tomic said. “I got up to a good start in both matches today. In the semifinal, the other guy (Herbert) had a three-setter.”
The US Open junior girls’ came close to having the first ever all-British final in junior Grand Slam history, but Yana Buchina of Russia spoiled that possibility.
The eleventh seed Heather Watson was already into the final having scored two impressive victories, beating reigning Wimbledon junior girls’ champion and second seed Noppawan Lertcheewakarn of Thailand 62 61 in the quarterfinals.
“She was the one I thought would be the toughest,” said the bubbly Watson, when asked about her success against Lertcheewakarn. “I went in with a game plan and I stuck to it.”
Watson followed the Lertcheewakarn victory with a 63 60 semifinal win over ninth seed Daria Gavrilova of Russia.
After declaring “I played superb tennis today,” Watson expressed a desire to play Robson in the final as she had never encountered her fellow Briton in a match.
Instead, Watson will play unseeded Yana Buchina of Russia, who also will be in the hunt for a first Grand Slam junior title.
The 17-year-old Buchina reached the final by scoring a 64 46 64 quarterfinal win over sixteenth seed Beatrice Capra, the last American girl remaining in the draw. She then polished off Robson, the 2008 Wimbledon champion, 16 63 75 in the semifinal.
“It’s my first Grand Slam final and I’m really happy because it’s my favorite Grand Slam tournament, in New York,” Buchina said. “I really love it. I love New York City; it’s a very fast city, just like Moscow.”
“Actually, I’m tired, not only because of Laura, but I played two matches in a row today, six sets, that’s more than men’s professionals are playing, but I feel really happy,” Buchina said.
Related articles:
> Rain washes out junior quarterfinals at US Open
> Robson and Watson flying the Union Jack
> Collarini returns to his roots and Stephens powers through
> Former Wimbledon winners advance at US Open
> Top seeds have different luck in first round
> Babos taking inspiration from Babos success
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