Forejtek and Osorio clinch 'unreal' US Open titles
This week Jonas Forejtek was playing to win the US Open junior boys’ competition as the fourth seed.
Goal achieved. The 18-year-old Forejtek rebounded from a first-set loss to become the boys’ champion with a 6-7(4) 6-0 6-2 win over eighth seed Emilio Nava of USA on Sunday.
“It’s really great,” said Forjtek, when asked how it feels to be a Grand Slam singles champion. “I won the Grand Slams only in doubles, and [now] in singles it’s just unreal.
“It’s big motivation for the future. I think it’s a lot of experience from this. So I’m happy that I won this one.”
Next week, Forejtek is moving on up as in he’s been nominated for the first time to the Czech Davis Cup team. He believes the quick turnaround will prevent him from spending too much time Sunday night reveling in his victory.
“We go tomorrow to Bosnia to play Davis Cup for Czech Republic,” he said. “So I will not celebrate so much.
Forejtek joins Jiri Vesely, who will anchor the team, along with Tomas Machac, a year out of the juniors, as well as fellow juniors Jiri Lehecka and Dalibor Svrcina in making the trip to Bosnia and Herzegovina.
At stake for both countries in Europe/Africa Group 1 action is the winners earn placement into the 2020 Davis Cup qualifying round for a spot in the coveted final.
Forejtek thinks that having played the boys’ junior final on Louis Armstrong Stadium, the second largest court at the US Open, could help him adjust to competing in front of a big crowd in Davis Cup.
“I don’t know who will play,” he said. “But I’m happy I played on the big court because it’s a bit different from other ones. I’m really looking forward to Davis Cup. Let’s see how it goes.”
The girls’ honours went to fourth seed Maria Camila Osorio Serrano of Colombia, who nearly skipped the US Open juniors in preference for moving totally onto competing at pro tournaments.
The last-minute decision to come to New York was all about scoring a Grand Slam trophy.
Goal achieved. Osorio allowed her final opponent, unseeded Alexandra Yepifanova of the USA, only one game in taking the title 6-1 6-0. She closed out the match in impressive style by serving an ace on the final point.
“It’s unreal,” said Osorio, who had a healthy contingent of Colombian fans cheering in the stands. “It’s been a really great week for me. I’m just so happy and thankful for this. I’m blessed.
“Every time I go to play a final, I just want to win. Not just win - on every point. Play every point and give my best on the court. That’s what I did.”
While Osorio had only winning in her mindset she forgot to put any plan in place for how she would react on-court to victory.
“I didn’t know how to celebrate, so I just, you know, I fall on the floor and thank God,” Osorio said. “He’s the one that give me this.”
Asked about how she will celebrate her victory on Sunday night, she responded, “Party.” But then she laughed and added, “No, I’m just kidding. I’m not 18 yet.”
A huge fan of Roger Federer’s, Osorio’s made a concerted effort whenever she’s played at Grand Slams to seek him out to say hello, and even take a selfie with the 20-time Grand Slam champion.
After her victory on Sunday she was hoping she might hear from the Swiss sensation.
“Well, I hope he’s watching this,” she said, smiling. “This is for you (Roger), too. You’re my inspiration. I love you so much. Yeah, that’s it. So I hope he can say something to me. Just like, ‘Hi.’ It’s okay for me. Just 'Hi'. It’s fine.”
In the girls doubles final, fifth seeds Kamilla Bartone of Latvia and Oksana Selekhmeteva grabbed the trophy with a 7-5 7-6(6) win over the unseeded French duo of Albane Droguet and Selena Janicijevic.