Vandromme, Ivanov Clinch Junior Singles Titles at U.S. Open

By Eppe Franklyne

• Vandromme rallies past Nilsson to win girls’ crown
• Ivanov tops Vasilev in all-Bulgarian boys’ final
• Kovackova sisters claim girls’ doubles; Hance/Kennedy take boys’

Belgium’s Jeline Vandromme and Bulgaria’s Ivan Ivanov emerged as champions on Saturday, lifting the U.S. Open junior singles trophies with straight-sets wins in New York.

Vandromme, 17, overcame Swedish qualifier Lea Nilsson 7-6 (2), 6-2 in the girls’ final. After clawing back from an early deficit, she held firm in a tense tiebreak before racing away in the second set to secure her maiden Grand Slam junior crown.

“I don’t think I can believe it yet,” Vandromme said. “I’m super happy with my week here, with the level I showed.”

Her path to the title included upset victories over second seed Hannah Klugman and third seed Kristina Penickova.

On the boys’ side, top seed and reigning Wimbledon champion Ivanov added another major title to his growing résumé, beating compatriot Alexander Vasilev 7-5, 6-3 in a historic all-Bulgarian final.

“Full Bulgarian final and full Bulgarian crowd,” Ivanov said with a smile. “I’m very happy that this happened, and I’m very happy that I took success today.”

In doubles, Czech twins Alena and Jana Kovackova defeated Vandromme and partner Laima Vladson to claim the girls’ title, while Americans Keaton Hance and Jack Kennedy triumphed in the boys’ draw with a win over Noah Johnston and Benjamin Willwerth.