Russian youngster wins Australian Open junior title

Alina Korneeva defeated Mirra Andreeva in an all-Russian final in Melbourne

Russia’s Alina Korneeva became the latest junior Grand Slam champion from her homeland with a hard-fought victory over compatriot Mirra Andreeva in the girls’ singles final of the Australian Open on Saturday.

Appearing at a first ever Grand Slam junior event of her career, Korneeva ensured that she leaves Melbourne with the title in tow after a 6-7 6-4 7-5 win over fellow 15-year-old Andreeva. An epic contest between the two Russian youngsters – who are also doubles partners – spanned three hours and 18 minutes at Rod Laver Arena.

Ninth seed Korneeva got the better of her seventh-seeded rival, becoming the first Russian youngster to win the girls’ junior title in Melbourne since Elizaveta Kulichkova in 2014. Other past Russian winners of the title include two-time champion Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, who has since gone on to have a successful professional career and reach a Grand Slam final at the French Open in 2021.

“It’s my first Grand Slam and I hope not the last one,” Korneeva said of her success, as quoted by the WTA website. “I’m so proud of myself, of my mental game.”

We have a new teen queen