
Whitney Osuigwe (zimbio.com)
By Mark Winters
It had seemingly been eons since two Americans had met in the Girls’ final at the home of clay-court tennis. To be exact, it was thirty-seven years ago, but Claire Liu and Whitney Osuigwe put on a two-hour, seven-minute Roland Garros performance that made the lengthy wait well worth it.
Liu of Thousand Oaks, California, seeded No. 6, faced Osuigwe of Bradenton, Florida, seeded No. 7. It was a 17-year-old against a 15-year-old challenge, and the younger, lower seed ran the table. Youth, at a tournament that featured many of the best teenagers in the game, prevailed. Osuigwe got the better of her older opponent, 6-4, 6-7, 6-3.
The contest was staged on Court 1 known as the “Bullring” because of its similarity to a “corrida de toros”. The location, which will be demolished when Stade Roland Garros is expanded, may be the best place at the facility to watch tennis. Not only are spectators “reach out close” to the players, the intimate venue puts one in touch with the beads of sweat, emotion and effort being exerted. It is so personal that dashing slides practically spray those in the arena’s courtside seats with the gritty terre battue.
The small stadium amplified the shot making that took place. On a color chart, they could have been categorized as vibrant. The brightness changed as quickly as the players alternated serve. There was an ebb and flow to the contest. At times an explosive winner was followed by a pulverized error that carried long or wide. Part of the youthful exchange mix even included a shot or two looped deep into the backcourt. In short, it was an impressive display by participants who are not terre battue born and bred.
Following the match, when asked about having a substantial lead in the second set and losing the tiebreak, Osuigwe, who admitted that clay is her favorite surface, said, “My first three rounds were three-setters, and I was down in most of them. I just told myself to keep fighting, and I did and pulled it out.”
Queried about the difficulty of playing someone from the US, the champion admitted, “It’s not another American, but it is tough to play Claire. The last time at the Easter Bowl, she beat me pretty bad (6-1, 6-1 in April).”
She added, “I think, actually, we are going to go into town for dinner (tonight).”
Even though she was disappointed, Liu was very forthcoming when she offered, “I think we both started out a little nervous in the beginning. I capitalized on those nerves earlier so that’s how I went up the break. Then, she just started playing better and better, and I rushed a little bit.
“Overall, she played a really good match. I just tried to hang in there. I got a little lucky in the second (set). She played really well.”
Liu, who won the 2016 Wimbledon Girls’ doubles with Usue Maitane Arconada, pointed out, “I beat her fast at the Easter Bowl, but that was on hard court, and I knew she would learn from that match. I was expecting her to play well, and she did.”
In 1980, the last All-American Girls’ final took place. Kathy Horvath defeated Kelly Henry, 6-2, 6-2 for the Roland Garros Girls’ trophy. Horvath turned professional the year after her Paris success. While on the tour, which she played until 1989, her best Grand Slam singles performance took place at Roland Garros where she was a quarterfinalist in 1983 and ’84. Finalist Henry went on to become a four-time All-American at USC, and had a brief pro career after college.
“With Team USA, the theme for the entire year has been ‘professionalism’,” said Erik Kortland, National Coach Women’s Tennis., who is guiding the effort in Paris. “All week we have preached about getting 1% better each day, enjoying the process, and enjoying the moment. The girls have embraced this and it takes away all the pressure.”
In 1993, Martina Hingis was 12-years-old when she became the youngest player to win the Roland Garros Girls’ championship (and the youngest to win a junior Grand Slam title, too). Though Whitney Osuigwe, who is playing in only her second Grand Slam event, is not the youngest to triumph, she brought a thirty-seven-year streak to an end, with performance that belied her age.
“Keep in mind how well all the other American girls did too,” Kortland said. “We had four Americans in the quarters.
“It’s been a pleasure and nothing but pure enjoyment and laughs and smiles the entire week and fun watching the girls become professional young women. We are very proud of them.”