Eurosport - Mon, 07 Jul 09:22:00 2008
England's Laura Robson claimed Britain's first Wimbledon girls' singles title in 24 years when she beat Noppawan Lertcheewakarn 6-3 3-6 6-1 in the final.
The 14-year-old Londoner overcame the 16-year-old Thai third seed in one hour, 34 minutes after an impressive performance on Court One.
Robson follows in the footsteps of 1984 champion Annabel Croft, the last Briton to win the girls' title.
"It was so good today as all the crowd were behind me and it was an overwhelming experience," said Australian-born Robson.
"I didn't feel relaxed and I thought I was going to be sick when I walked on court as there were so many people watching.
"In the second set I went a bit mad but I got it back together and that is how I won."
Left-handed Robson claimed an early advantage when she broke in the second game of the match. She served out for the opener in just 29 minutes to the pleasure of a packed home crowd.
The two players traded breaks at the start of the second set and again in the seventh and eighth games.
From there the Thai took advantage of a string of double faults and unforced errors from her rival to break again in the eighth before serving out for the set.
After three more breaks of serve to start the third set, Robson saved a break point in the fifth game and held her nerve to go ahead 4-1.
She broke again in the sixth game as Lertcheewakarn sent an unforced backhand error wide.
Robson hit another double fault on triple championship point, before wrapping up the victory with a service winner.
Recent Wimbledon junior champions include Martina Hingis, Amelie Mauresmo, Katarina Srebotnik, Agnieszka Radwanska and Caroline Wozniacki.
Comment 45 - 64 of 64
Extremly well done Laura, Never forget melbourne, AUS.
PJ, 11-5-35.
yeah...congratulations Laura!excuse me but it's not fair to ignore the Bulgarian's champ Grigor!he did an awesome job and we r all very proud of him!ROCK ON!keep giving the best of u!we know that u can do it!
I think the media and the public as a whole are putting a lot of pressure to whoever promising talent we've got. Too much pressure would be difficult at a young age and it would be difficult to cope with, but if Miss Robson manage to handle it that would serve as a challenge to raise her game. Goodluck to you!
P.S. To Sam Smith, Yes watching her play makes me think she was trying to emulate Ana Ivanovic....
well done, Laura! Even he is not English it is worth to mention the winner in the boy's catagory! Congratulations, Grisha!!! The whole Bulgaria is proud of you! Go on this way!
BRITICO LET HER GROW OR U LEAD HER TO THE PAT OF OTHER MORE TALENTED JUNIORS THAT FADED LIKE EXHAUST FUME OF A NEW CAR.RESPECT OF A SUPER STAR NOW WILL NOT CHALENGE HER TO THE TOP BUT HAVE A DIMINISHING EFFECT ON HER FOCUS.
ladbrokes had her at 33-1 after her win on sat 2 win wimbledon b4 she turns 20 ....easiest money ill evr make rite der :D:D
seriously what is wrong with the british media??? anyone who attempts to do anything is a superstar. urghhhhh.
this girl will fail unless she relocates. simple as that. quote me in 3 yrs. LOL she can beat Venus. no respect whatsoever. shame on her. jumior
what a silly comment!!
Really well done, but i would actually quite like a match. Am a pretty good player myself!!!! No hope against her though!!!! Do it for BRITIAN and URSELF!!!
Well done to Laura!!! Would like it if you post an article on the Boys Champion aswell...Well Done Grigor!!!
Congratulation Laura.
Who is the junior champion this year for boys? Is he English? I think it is important to mention this name as well.
No offense 2 anybody else but ......she can play tennis!!!....really well...and she's only 14...so it doesnt matter where she's from or for how long she lived in one country!! .the one problem she might have later on is that the media hype her up so much that it affects her playing, which has happened 2 sum people before
all in all ...fair play 2 ya laura ...ya went out there n played in front of ALOT of people ...includin a few million people watchin on t.v lol
good luck laura....sure ya wont need it tho XD
p.s. ...if ya read actualy this(her!..not other people) ...id love a comment back :P
I am really happy that we have a British player with a great personality, who's pretty and also an awesome talent. Kepp it up Laura. You are fantastic! I actually can't believe it. She totally deserved to win and I want to congratulate her.Even if Safin woulddn't go to the ball with her! Has anyone else had the thought that she is trying to emulate Ana Ivanovic?! Same outfit, same hair?! Just a thought - by me and Sam Smith!
Congrats Laura, if i were to suggest pls relocate to US to be under Richard Williams if you are to go places. I doubt this culture of pub, drinks, knife and lack of parental care/control plus the useless and unnecessary media attention will ruin your career. I hope someone takes me on this sometime in future. Just for winning a junior championship has turn her into a world-class star that can beat Williams sisters - hmm.
Britain should stop worshipping mediocrity and become serious. We have fallen from our fformer enviable position because we have no value any more, be it family, individual
or national. No amount of shortcuts will hide this miserable state. I hope Laura does
not start visiting pub to hang out with friends and before you know it she becomes another Amy Winehouse or start a modelling career as i am very sure these evil men/women destroyers will soon give her a contract, then her face will be on newspapers and mag. every other day. Williams Sisters is a perfect example of success and good parenting.
clifford r is correc; the british media and public will destroy her career before it has even started. she will be in wimbledon proper next year and they will be hoping that she wins it.. she is only 14 give her time to mature
We are waiting to see her perfom and i wish her well in future but the people that will make her fail are the British people with their media and mouth
Laura you are gr8 champ ! Congratulations to you and your parents. Make sure you do what you love to do and remember your school work too. Enjoy the trophy !
All of a sudden Britain has a top tennis player again.
What Does It Matter Where She Was Born, She Has Decided To Represent England (Britain)
The Same Thing Happens It All Sports, Be It A Footballer Playing For One Of His Parents Nationalities Or A Cricketer Playing For A Great Grandparents Nationality Or A Swimmer Represent Australia Just Because They Got Their Training There.
There Is No Loyalty In Any Sports.
Unluck Austraila - SHES BRITISH AND SHES A WINNER (AT LAST!!!)
She left Australia at 18 months old. She has been living in the UK since she was six. Since she obviously learned her tennis over here it is preposterous for Andrew G to say that British tennis is "stealing other countries young talents".
This will be a test of the WTA's policy of developing young players, which strictly limits the number of tournaments they can play in a year. It is supposed to ensure that a player like Laura is allowed to develop at her own pace and without being constanly in the public gaze. Although this policy has been in place for a few years now, there hasn't been a 14 year-old winning junior slams since Martina Hingis. Let's hope the WTA's policy passes this test with flying colours and that she goes on to fully realise her potential and enjoy a great carreer.
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