MCTA Player Christina Mathis competed for the first time in her career in the qualifying of the Junior Wimbledon Championships 2009. Christina who celebrated her 17th birthday 2 weeks ago played against Italian No 81 in the world Carolina Pillot from Italy but lost to her after 2 and a half hours of an exciting match. Mathis walked onto the court very nervous and lost the first 3 games of the 1st set.

However she managed to bring herself back into the match and won 4 consecutive games to lead 4-3 and serving for 5-3. The next game was lost though to love and turned out to be a key moment of the match, as Christina lost the momentum she had gained by her earlier brave effort, coming back from a difficult situation and finally lost the 1st set 6-4.

In the second set the 17 year old from Austria got in the match with a lot more aggressive game style and managed to bring the match to one set all. The third and final set was very close but Pillot, who was the finalist of the G1 Tournament in Cita di Prato in May was better in the big points and managed to win the match

MCTA Director of Coaching, Dave Sammel, who was accompanied by Sporteo CEO Hanno Egger in Roehampton (where the Wimbledon qualifying matches took place) said after the match ‘It was a good match overall. Christina played too conservative at 4-3 and 4-4 (serving) in the 3rd but we have to credit her opponent for going for it and making enough to win. Christina found her bravery again at 4-5 but after saving a match point with a clean winner return the girl responded with her own winner off a good return at deuce and a good winning point.’

Mathis also took part in the Roehampton G1 Juniors tournament last week and she made second round, beating GB prospect Daneika Borwick in the first round 6-2 3-6 6-2. Christina was coming back from a shoulder injury that kept her out of action for 4 weeks.

Watch some video highlights and Christinas’ first reaction after the match plus image galleries from Roehampton G1 Tournament and Junior Wimbledon Qualifying Event.