Murray wins US junior crown
 
Andrew Murray swept past Sergiy Stakhovsky of Ukraine

Andrew Murray swept past Sergiy Stakhovsky of Ukraine to become the first British winner of the boys' singles crown at the US Open on Sunday.

The 17-year-old Scot, seeded third, came through in straight sets 6-4 6-2 against the seventh seed to claim the first Grand Slam of his career.

Past winners of the title include Pat Cash, Stefan Edberg and Andy Roddick.

The Dunblane teenager is the first British youngster to win a Slam since James Baily won in Australia in 1993.

Murray was a survivor of the Dunblane school massacre in 1996 when a gunman walked into his school and shot dead 16 children and a teacher in 1996.

He took refuge in the headmaster's office during the incident.
Murray, whose form this year has already earned him a call-up to Great Britain's Davis Cup team for the tie in Austria on 25 September, said of his win: "It's feels fantastic.

"I was a bit nervous when I first stepped on the court but we played a long opening game and I hit a lot of balls and that helped me to settle."

And the ambitious youngster has now set his sights on following British number one Tim Henman into the world's top 10.

"This is my favourite tournament and I would love to come back and win here as a senior. My longterm aim is to make the world's top 10," he said.

Murray, whose progress was halted last season by a serious knee injury, also paid tribute to his mother Judy.

"She was making lots of noise and cheering me on - I'll have to give her a big hug for that," he added.

Murray dropped just one set en route to his showdown with Stakhovsky - a player he had beaten in their two previous encounters at Under-14 level.

And in a match which lasted 95 minutes, the Brit fired two aces and made 61 percent of his first serves.

Meanwhile, his opponent could not overcome a poor second serve which produced three double faults.

Now Murray is being tipped for greater things.

David Felgate, performance director for the Lawn Tennis Association said: "I'm delighted for Andy.

"He fully deserves his victory after a week of fantastic tennis. It is testament to the hard work and determination he has shown all year.

"Andy has a great future ahead of him starting in a couple of weeks with our Davis Cup away tie against Austria. Who knows what can happen from here."

Murray's victory comes just two days after he and his brother Jamie just missed out on reaching the boys' doubles final at Flushing Meadow.

The pair were defeated by the number one seeds Brendan Evans and Scott Oudsema, of the USA, in three sets.

Meanwhile, Michaella Krajicek, the sister of former Wimbledon champion Richard, won the girls' tournament.

The Dutch youngster, seeded three, defeated the USA's Jessica Kirkland, the fourth seed in straight sets - 6-1 6-1.

BBC Sport Tennis Section, 12 September, 2004
  

Source: http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/us_open_2004/3650264.stm

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