China's teen wins US Open junior title

NEW YORK, NY, USA - No.3 seed Wang Xiyu earned her first major title on Sunday, surviving French youngster Clara Burel, 7-6(4), 6-2, under the Louis Armstrong Stadium roof to become China's first Grand Slam girl's singles champion.

"I'm happy," she said about her emotions on match point. "Yeah, it's only happy. I think maybe my mom was crying."

Wang won a rain-impacted semifinal over Ukrainian qualifier Dasha Lopatetskaya on an indoor court Saturday night, and fought off a valiant comeback from Burel in the opening set to win after an hour and 25 minutes on court.

"It was a different kind of opponent. I just think, 'try to play my best.'

"In the first set I was a little bit nervous. But I try to get used to in the big court, try to enjoy this match."

The 17-year-old lefty from China reached the quarterfinals at junior Australian Open and Roland Garros, and then the semifinals at junior Wimbledon. She saved her best tennis for New York, striking 21 winners and converted five of 11 break point opportunities against Burel, who finished runner-up at the junior Australian Open earlier in the year.

"I watch some matches with Li Na," she said. "She gave me something experience to play the final, because she played in the Australian Open final. I've tried to watch some matches with her."

The girl's doubles final took place on another indoor court due to the inclement weather, with Roland Garros junior champion Cori "Coco" Gauff pairing countrywoman Caty McNally to win a second major junior doubles title as a team, knocking out fellow Americans Hailey Baptiste and Dalayna Hewitt, 6-3, 6-2.

Agencies