Register to receive unrivalled access to the world of tennis. When Michaela Krajicek of the Netherlands claimed both titles in , Montgomery was six years away from picking up a racquet for the first time.
Now her junior career is complete, after defeating Kristina Dmitruk of Belarus in the singles final and partnering with Ashlyn Krueger to take the doubles title in an all-US final Saturday.
Dmitruk started quickly, showing no sign of nerves, but Montgomery was able to take control in the sixth game of the first set, breaking Dmitruk at love for a lead and finishing it with another break. The second set didn't start well for the American, when she was broken at the start, more due to her own errors than Dmitruk's improved play. My goal then was not to lose the set , to focus on just getting a game. Dmitruk held on her break for , but as in the first set, Montgomery began to dig in.
She pulled even at , saved a break point with a brave backhand winner before holding for , and was able to keep her mind on the task at hand in the final game. She played much harder than me, and she has a good serve, so it's play aggressive, go into the court. Montgomery was the crowd favourite, and she appreciated their support, yet having her family and her longtime coach Ali Agnamba of the Junior Tennis Champions Center in New York to witness her two titles was especially gratifying.
I didn't grow up with a father, it's always been my mom and grandma raising me pretty much. Since I met him so young, he kind of became a father figure to me Tomorrow is actually his birthday, so I told him this is his birthday present.
