Tennis | Junior Orange Bowl | Klugman secures the title in USA – Britwatch Sports
By Glenys Furness
- Hannah Klugman claimed the U18 Orange Bowl
- Brit was fifth seed
- Klugman defeated top seed en route
PLANTATION, FLORIDA, USA – Hannah Klugman entered the Orange Bowl event and was the fifth seed. The Brit took the title in the U18 section.
Hannah Klugman, who became the youngest player to qualify for a W100 event, entered the prestigious Orange Bowl in the USA. The Brit was the fifth seed and in the first round Klugman was against Francesca Maguina Bunikowska. The Peruvian found Klugman too good. The seed dominated the match from the outset and strolled through into the second round in straight sets 6-2, 6-1.
The second round saw the Brit against Ariana Anazagasty-Pursoo. The American got off to the better start, and broke the Klugman serve to take the lead. The second set saw the fifth seed re-group, breaking the American serve to level up the match. The final set saw both players stay close. Eventually, Klugman managed to get the vital break and moved into the next round 4-6, 6-4, 6-3.
In the third round the Brit was against the eleventh seed Alisa Oktiabreva. Klugman started well and broke the serve of Oktiabreva to take the lead. The second set saw the eleventh seed fight back and break the Brit serve to level up the match. The final set saw Klugman break serve and hold on for the win 6-4, 3-6, 6-3.
The quarter-final saw Klugman against the top seed Laura Samsonova. The Brit stayed toe to toe with the top seed in the first set, forcing a tiebreak. In the breaker Klugman eased through and took the lead. The second set saw the Czech player dominate, breaking at will to level up the match. The final set was just like the first, as neither player gave an inch. Once again a tiebreak ensued and just like the first one, the Brit eased through to take the match 7-6(2), 0-6, 7-6(2).
In the semi-final saw the fifth seed against the fourth seed Iva Jovic. The American dominated the first set, as Klugman struggled with serve. The second set saw the Brit re-group and break serve of Jovic to level up the match. The final set again saw Klugman break serve of Jovic and move into the final 1-6, 6-4, 6-3.
The final saw Klugman against sixth seed Tyra Caterina Grant. The American stayed with the Brit at the start, before Klugman broke serve and took the lead. The second set was more of the same. No matter what Grant tried, she was unable to do anything to stop the Brit. Klugman lifted the title in straight sets 6-3, 6-3.
Klugman becomes the first British girls winner of the U18 event. George Morgan was the last British boys winner in 2010. Andy Murray won the U12 version of the event in 1999. Maia Lumsden won the U14 version in 2012.
