'Win hasn't sunk in yet' - Watson

GUERNSEY has a new national champion. Ex-Ladies' College student Heather Watson was crowned the top under-14 tennis player in Britain when she won the Ariel Junior National Championships in Bournemouth on Saturday.

'Oh my gosh, I've won the National Championships,' she said afterwards.

'It never sinks in with me until the tournament is well over.'

On her way to the title, the 14-year-old steamrollered the opposition. She did not drop a set during the competition.

Watson does not have a national ranking because she attends the Nick Bollettieri Tennis Academy in Florida. But she has proved that she is the number one in the UK as she defeated numbers one, two and four in the rankings on her way to the title.

'I am not only pleased that Heather won but also that she did it in style, dominating the opposition with attacking and aggressive play,' said Heather's mother, Michelle.

'Her accuracy and power has improved and she plays attacking, aggressive tennis. She goes for the game and doesn't sit back waiting for her opponent to make errors.

'She has been playing well all summer and now I can admit I was always confident going into this tournament. Heather's game is looking good for the future as she has developed a whole repertoire of shots and plays a mature game.'

In the first round, Watson was drawn against her friend and doubles partner Manisha Chowdhury.

It proved to be very one-sided as the Guernsey star walked off the court the victor at 6-1, 6-0.

The first set in her second match with Oxfordshire's Lucy Brown was a sterner test as it went to a tiebreak that Watson eventually won.

'Lucy was hitting the ball cleanly and it took me some time to work out how to play her,' said Watson.

'I edged the first set in a tiebreak and when I'd worked her out, the second set was much easier.'

Watson won the next set 6-1 to book herself a place in the quarter-finals against Amy Askew.

The fourth-placed Lancashire girl fell to Watson 6-1, 6-1.

'I thought Amy was nervous and it affected her play,' said Watson.

Into the semi-finals and Watson found herself up against the top seeded player in the country, Jennifer Ren.

The Sarnian had recently beaten the Yorkshire junior 6-1, 6-1 and she again got the better of her, winning 6-4, 6-4.

'I felt more comfortable than the score suggests,' said Watson.

'I was very pleased with my drop shot which won me quite a few points.'

The final was against Ren's sister and number two in the country Jessica. Watson won in straight sets 6-1, 6-2.

'My game flowed and I always felt in control,' said Watson.

'My shots were hard and accurate. My drive volley worked well and I didn't give Jessica a chance to get into the match.'

It has been a good summer for Watson back in Guernsey and in the UK.

She has now won four singles tournaments and two doubles.

Watson returns to the Nick Bollettieri Tennis Academy on 28 August when she will prepare for the world's most prestigious junior tournament, The Orange Bowl, in Miami in December.

Her coach, Percy Melzi, came over from America to help her through the nationals.

'I can't wait to report back to Bollettieri,' he said.

'We have a new national champion and I am her coach. I am really proud to be her coach: she was unbelievable.'

Watson paid credit to her coach.

'It was good to have Percy there,' she said.

'When I needed confidence and support, he was there all the time.

'I am really playing an attacking game and my two favourite shots are my drive volley and my backhand down the line.'