September 13 - Channel Islander Heather Watson (pictured) became the first British winner of the junior girls title at the United States Open tonight when she defeated Yana Buchina of Russia 6-4, 6-1 in the final at Flushing Meadow.


The 17-year-old  from Guernsey, who was seeded 11th, fell behind early 1-3 before playing her way back into the match against her doubles partner.

Watson, who is currently based at the famed Nick Bollettieri tennis school in Florida, pocketed the first set and then broke to lead at the start of the second and never looked like being caught after that.

She said: "When I won, I hadn't realised I'd won.

"I thought, 'Oh, I won the match.'

"And then I put my racquet down, and it finally began to sink in.

"It feels great.

"I think I'm the first British junior to win the girls and Andy Murray won the boys about five years ago.

"I'm really proud of myself."

Watson is the second British teenager to win a major title in two years after Laura Robson's victory at Wimbledon in 2008.

Robson, 15, had been knocked out in the semi-final of the US Open by Buchina.

Watson said; "She's [Robson] doing really well at a very young age.

"It would have been good to have an all British final, but she had it tough yesterday.

"It's really good for British tennis, and we're starting to come through."


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September 2009: British teenager reaches girls final at US Open