Noppawan wins Wimbledon crown

London - 18-year-old Noppawan "Nok" Lertcheewakarn won the girls' singles championship at Wimbledon, the first Thai ever to take a title at the fabled championship.

Noppawan in action. Photos from Wimbledon.org

Nok defeated Kristina Mladenovic, giving away the first set to the French girl 3-6, and then easily winning the next two games 6-3, 6-1 for her first win on the Grand Slam circuit.

In the final game, Noppawan broke Mladenovic's serve three times in a row, and the French girl could not win a point until 4-1. Nok seemed to tire a bit at the end, and faltered briefly, but put Mladenovic away and broke into a huge winner's Thai smile amidst heavy applause from the sellout crowd.

This is Noppawan's final year as a "girl" tennis player, and it was her last chance to take a Wimbledon title at that age level. Next year, she must step up to the main show.

Last year was a heart-breaker for the Thai girl, when she lost in the final to Britain's Laura Robson. She got her revenge last Friday, however, beating Robson in the semi-final.

Noppawan is clearly the brightest star in the Thai tennis world, particularly since Tamarine Tanasugarn is reaching the end of her brilliant career - but without a major title.

As Noppawan was claiming her Wimbledon plate on Court 1, the Williams sisters were playing in the women's final.

Serena won the crown, after defeating last year's champion, her sister Venus, by 7-6, 6-2.