Anna Blinkova had a smile as wide as China after outlasting Katie Swan 6-4 6-7(1) 7-6(4) to capture the ITF Junior Masters title in Chengdu. 

“This is the best day of my life so far,” said a beaming Blinkova after a match which enthralled the thousands of fans in attendance at the Sichuan International Tennis Centre. 

The Russian takes home $15,000 worth of travel grants and first pick on a selection of wild cards into WTA events which will undoubtedly help on her journey into the professional ranks.

Blinkova packs a punch and she put Swan under pressure from the off with a super blend of depth, power and the odd delicate angle. She reeled off four games on the trot to take the first set and served for the match at 5-4 in the second, but in came a bout of jitters and Swan pounced on the moment of weakness to break. 

At this stage, the errors were beginning to fly from Blinkova’s racket and Swan eased through the tie-break to force a deciding set, much to the delight of those in attendance.

“After the second set I went to the bathroom,” Blinkova explained in her post-match press conference. “I just washed my face and with this movement I got rid of all the negative thoughts and all the negative emotions. I told myself ‘you will win, you can win, just believe and fight for every point’. That is what I thought when I went to the bathroom.”

And fight she did. After two hours and 42 minutes she brought up a match point and, attacking with trademark vigour, she slammed one final backhand winner past Swan before her legs gave way in relief. 

“I can’t describe my feelings,” she said. “It’s amazing. It was an extremely tough match, very nervous and full of winners and unforced errors. But finally I did it and I feel incredible.”

Blinkova may just have saved her best performance for the press conference room, however. Asked who her tennis idol is, her response sent the media into a flurry of excitement. 

“Actually, my favourite player was Li Na,” she said. “Honestly, absolutely honestly. I always loved her style of play and her behaviour on the court.”

It was the two-time Grand Slam champion who awarded her the trophy, capping off a day to remember for the 17-year-old. 

For Swan, her attentions also now turn to the next level. Her week may have ended in disappointment - she served for the title at 5-4 in the third set - but there are endless positives to take.

“I mean, it’s really tough,” said Swan. “I am gutted that I couldn’t come through but I fought really hard the whole time. I just wasn’t being aggressive enough in the key moments and she was doing a better job at that. I think that was the key difference today.”

“It’s been a really good week, I enjoyed it a lot. All the off court stuff as well. It’s been a really great experience so I am glad that I came.”

Swan’s friend Charlotte Robillard-Millette took third place after a 7-6(6) 6-2 win over Kayla Day, the youngest player in the women’s draw. Tereza Mihalikova’s week finished on a high after a disappointing defeat on the opening day.

The Slovakian made it back-to-back wins with a 3-6 6-1 6-1 victory against Sofia Kenin, ending the week in fifth. Use Arconada ensured she didn’t leave China without a win, inflicting a 3-6 6-4 6-1 defeat on Miriam Kolodziejova to finish seventh. 

The second ITF Junior Masters was one to remember. The 16 competitors here in Chengdu know that the dream, life as a professional player, is nearing a reality. Their next few steps, however, are the biggest.