Heather Watson crowned junior US Open champion

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Posted: Sunday 13th September 2009 | 20:23

BRITAIN'S Heather Watson created history at Flushing Meadows as she lifted the girls' singles title in New York.

NATURAL BORN WINNER: Guernsey's Heather Watson upstages Laura Robson by winning the junior US Open in Flushing Meadows (Getty Images)

Watson, 17, who has become the first British girl to lift the title stateside, defeated Russia's Yana Buchina 6-4, 6-1 in an impressive showing.

Current British number one Andy Murray won the boys' title in New York in 2004, while fellow Brit Laura Robson lifted the junior Wimbledon title last year.

And it could have been an all-British affair at Flushing Meadows but for the unseeded Buchina defeating Robson in a tight three-set semi-final.

The achievements of the British duo illustrate the significant strides British women's tennis is currently experiencing.

And Watson admits she is looking forward to making her mark in the senior ranks.

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

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

"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.

"At the beginning she was hitting a lot of forehand winners, but I started to figure it out, and I played more topspinny balls to her backhand and was trying to force the error.

"I just thought to keep calm and play my game."

It had looked a very different story early on for Watson in New York as Buchina raced into a 3-1 lead after breaking the Brit's serve in the third game.

But the Guernsey-born youngster roared back to win the next four games and change the momentum of the final once and for all, racing into a 5-3 lead.

Buchina broke back but serving to save the set she was unable to stop Watson taking the early initiative.

Watson, a quarter-finalist in this year's Australian Open, pulled away from the Russian in the second set at 5-1 - victory came courtesy of a big forehand.