HUCKNALL'S Freya Christie won the prestigious HSBC Road to Wimbledon girls' singles title on the hallowed grass of SW19.

It is the largest national junior grass court tournament in the country and the 12-year-old beat Suffolk youngster Daniella Silva 6-3, 5-7, 6-0 in the final.

Christie said: "It feels amazing. It was quite a long match and I was feeling the pressure out there.

"For the past three weeks I have been playing non-stop, so I'm really tired.

"After dropping the second set I had to change my attitude and be a lot more positive and just go for it. Doing that helped me win."

Christie, who was the top seed for the tournament, almost won the final in straight sets. After winning the first set, she swept into a 5-1 lead in the second set, but Silva won six games in a row to force a third set.

She also came runner-up in the doubles, after having a match point in a deciding tie-break.

Former British no.1 Tim Henman, who is HSBC Road to Wimbledon ambassador, said: "This year's winners played exceptionally well and it's great to see strong players coming through the tournament from around the country."

Tournament director Paul Hutchins added: "It's been great to give so many juniors the chance to play on the grass at Wimbledon and the atmosphere at this year's finals was brilliant.

"The tournament continues to grow from strength to strength and I look forward to seeing a generation of tennis players emerging from this initiative."