"and Now the 2008 Wimbledon Girls Champion, From Great Britain"..

Those were the words from the public announcer as youngster Laura Robson became the first Briton to win the girls title at Wimbledon since Annabel Croft 24-years ago in blustery conditions on number one court.

After the match Australia-born Robson admitted that she thought she was going to be sick as she walked out onto the show court - such was the level of interest from both the press and public for this historic occasion. After seeing Jamie Murray claim the mixed doubles title last year, the negative press our players have received over the last decade or so could be dealt a blow if the Londoner could claim the title and she did not disappoint.

Those nerves of the 14-year-old did not show as she raced into a break at the earliest opportunity but unfortunately for the home support Robson handed a break straight back to her Thai opponent Noppawan Lertcheewakarn and the Number one court crowd would have been forgiven for predicting another capitulation from a Brit at Wimbledon.

This time however it was not to be as Robson took the initiative after her set-back, showing well constructed points and strong ground-strokes to take the first set 6-3 and raise the level of expectancy and atmosphere up a notch going into the second.

Lertcheewakarn, two years the senior of Robson - the youngest competitor in this years draw - dealt with the level of support for Robson extremely well for a girl of her age and after twice going a break down showed brilliant composure and fight to chalk off four straight games and take the second set by the same score.

The opening two sets saw a number of breaks from both players which is highly understandable, neither girl had ever played in front of such a large crowd and the intensity of the occasion would have been great enough to rattle the cage of many an experienced player.

The final set was clearly the most impressive from a British view-point as Robson - brought up for six years in Singapore - came out of the blocks flying and the power in the shots of such a young player was truly a sight to see, firing a rocket down the line to take the opening point of the decider, one must bet that British tennis will continue to improve if this performance is anything to go off, however there were still signs that there are areas which will require tweaking.

Robson once again handed her service game straight back to her 16-year-old opponent but this time there were no more further errors from the Brit as she rattled off five straight games, taking the title on her second Championship points.

After Robson's victory the odds for more juniors taking up the game and breaking through in Great Britain will have shortened dramatically and with three Brits making the second round at Wimbledon, the future of the game in Britain looks as healthy as it has for quite some time.