Kostyuk, Piros crowned 2017 Australian Open junior champions
There were two seeded, but unexpected junior champions crowned at the 2017 Australian Open on Saturday when 11th-seeded Marta Kostyuk of Ukraine won the girls' title and 15th-seeded Zsombor Piros of Hungary captured the boys' trophy.
The 11th-seeded Kostyuk, a risk taker on-the-court and a bubbly personality off-the-court, had her way with top-seeded Rebeka Masarova of Switzerland 7-5 1-6 6-4 in an hour and 55 minutes.
She's s fresh-faced and only 14-years-old, but that didn't stop Kostyuk from winning the title at her first Grand Slam junior tournament.</p>
Not only did Kostyuk win the girls' title, but she had a special meeting in mind when she arrived in Melbourne. That introduction finally came to pass on Saturday as well, arranged for her by her manager, Ivan Ljubicic, who also coaches Roger Federer.
"I met finally Roger today," she said, smiling. "He congratulated me. And I took a photo with him, so I was very excited."
The victory almost qualified Kostyuk, at 14 years, 7 months, as the youngest champion in Australian Open junior history. Nevertheless, that distinction belongs to Anastasia Pavyluchenkova of Russia, who was 14 years, 6 months and 27 days old when she won the first of her back-to-back Australian Open junior girls' titles in 2006.
This triumph is the latest milestone moment for the rising star. Last August, Kostyuk was on the winning Ukrainian team that won the 14-and-under ITF World Junior Tennis Finals in Prostejov, Czech Republic with a 2-1 victory over USA. inal victory over the USA.
Kostyuk was comfortably the underdog for the final with Masarova the clear anticipated favorite, a supposition bolstered by the fact she is the reigning Roland Garros champion.
"I congratulate Marta and it's unbelievable to be a Grand Slam champion at just 14," said Masarova, in her runner-up speech. "Being in two Grand Slam finals is amazing in my career. This is obviously a tough loss, but it was an amazing final."
Kostyuk, playing with her left upper leg heavily wrapped and her right shoulder taped, finally gained the upper-hand in the match when Masarova was serving in the ninth game. At 15-40 in that game, Kostyuk broke serve with a winning backhand passing shot.
At 40-15 in the next game, Kostyuk took advantage of her lone match point with a forehand crosscourt winner.
Kostyuk plans to celebrate her victory in a way many of the Grand Slam champions do: "Maybe some shopping, I like it," she grinned. "Jewelry I don't like. I lose everything. So more clothes."