As if there was a factory machine churning them out, Spain just keeps producing great young men’s tennis players.

The latest to come off the assembly line is 16-year-old Martin Landaluce who, with his steady defense, opportunistic offense and easy-going personality, won a ton of fans this week at the US Open junior championships.

And at the end of the day on Saturday, he won a shiny trophy as well. Showing mental strength at the most crucial times, Landaluce won the boys' singles title, his first Slam triumph, as he outlasted Belgium’s Gilles Bailly, 7-6(3) 5-7 6-2.

For Landaluce, who beat Bailly at Wimbledon when he advanced to the semi-finals, the reasons for Spanish success are numerous.

“I think in part it is the mentality we have as a country,” Landaluce said. “We are fighters. Especially I think we have had Rafa Nadal, one of the best persons, best examples of sport management. Yeah, like a person he's great …  Having him, and now Carlos, one of the things that Spain has in, like, difference with other countries, because we're fighters. We try to win in every match, in every moment. Also we have Nadal that is the best example for that.”

After a very tight opening set, where Landaluce played just slightly better in the tiebreak, the two 16-year-olds stayed on serve throughout the second set. Finally with Bailly leading at 6-5, the Belgian surged ahead. Looking to become the first male from his country to win the US Open junior singles crown, Bailly played a terrific attacking game, and on break point after a 20-plus shot rally, Landaluce’s backhand smacked into the net, and the match was knotted at a set apiece.

This was very familiar territory for Bailly, who had won his last four matches here in three sets. But Landaluce said he didn’t get down at all after losing the set.

“It was the final of the US Open. How could I be, like, down or something?” Landaluce said. “I was just trying to enjoy the moment, try to understand the situation, and to change some little things to win the match.”

Landaluce, who trains in Madrid and is partly coached by his father, Alejandro, immediately struck back. He worked his way to 15-40 on Bailly’s serve, then drilled a beautiful backhand passing shot down the line to earn the break.”

“My tactics were good, but he was just so excellent,” said Bailly, a runner-up at Roland Garros this year as well. “I thought I played well, but I just made some stupid choices at times.”

“Honestly, this one hurts more than (Roland Garros). I felt here in the first set I was in control, the second set I was in control, and I just didn’t take my chances.”

Landaluce immediately held for 2-0, then broke Bailly yet again to gain what would be an insurmountable advantage.

“I tried one game plan at the beginning that went more or less good,” Landaluce said. “But then in the third set I tried to change it, to be more solid, more consistent. I think that's what it gave me the match, the win.”

Leading 5-2, Landaluce smacked a drop volley winner followed by a service winner to set up match point, and one short forehand later, he was the proud owner of a Grand Slam trophy. 

“Martin is always working hard, and we are a family of tennis,” Alejandro said. “Martin is always happy when he’s on the court. This is the beginning of our journey. But a great end to this week.”

In the boys' doubles final, the American team of Ozan Baris and Nishesh Basavereddy enjoyed a dominating 6-1 6-1 victory over Juan Carlos Prado Angelo of Bolivia and Dylan Dietrich of Switzerland.

Baris and Basavareddy were the No. 8 seed and hardly played like the new team that they are, as this was their first Slam together. It’s the first Slam title for both boys.

“I think our chemistry is good. We’ve known each other for a really long time. I guess we just play well together.”

While Baris is from Michigan, Basavareddy hails from Indiana, as does US Open men’s doubles champion Rajeev Ram.

“I've hit with him quite a bit in the past, and practiced with him,” said Basavareddy. “He's given me a lot of advice in the past. He's been a huge role model and important person to look up to, give me good advice.”