Tennis: Millie holds her nerve to clinch Craiglockhart win

Edinburgh prospect Millie Stretton, 14, was today hailed for a "breakthrough" victory on the AEGON Tennis Europe tour after coming from a set down to beat top seed Ceire Mullins (Derbyshire) in the final at Craiglockhart.

Millie, a member of the Royal High team which last month won the Scottish Schools title, held her nerve to edge home 6-4 in the decider of the 14 and under age group event.

Brian Barnet, who has coached Millie at the Blackhall club since she started playing tennis around eight years ago, said: "The tournament was quite a breakthrough for Millie as the furthest she has ever got at this level was a semi-final.

"Against an opponent, also 14, who has been picked to play for Great Britain in the next few weeks, Millie showed she could mix with the best in her age group."

Millie had to do it the hard way as her semi-final against Alexandra Herd was moved indoors with the tie deadlocked at aset apiece.

In the final under the Craiglockhart roof against a rival who had comfortably defeated Edinburgh 12-year-old Anastasia Mikheeva early in the tournament, Millie showed tremendous determination. Barnet added: "A lot of it is about tactics and also showing the right temperament.

"Millie, who is in Holland this week for another Tennis Europe tournament, has improved tremendously over this season so far as temperament is concerned.

"This result will give her a lot of confidence.

"What is also encouraging is that Millie is a fantastic athlete and her ball striking is also really good."

Stretton's victory was one of three for Scottish youngsters in the singles events with Stirling's Vincent Gillespie taking the boys 14 and under crown while Jonny O'Mara, from Arbroath, followed up a win last week in Denmark by taking the boys 18 and under honours.