Noppawan new queen

The Thai teenager, who was No 2 last week, rose to the top of the International Tennis Federation girls' singles ranking with combined points of 1,082.50, becoming the first Asian girl to hold the No 1 position.

"I'm glad and a bit surprised because I haven't played in the junior tournaments for a while. I consider it an honour to be the first Thai and first Asian to become the No 1 junior in the world," she said.

Noppawan progressed at the expense of the Netherlands' Arantxa Rus, who dropped from pole position to No 3 this week. However, the race for the yearend No 1 ranking is still close, with No 2 Simona Halep of Romania and No 5 Laura Robson breathing down the Thai's neck. "If either of them win in the Orange Bowl [In USA] this week, they will become yearend No 1, because I am not playing in any junior events this year," said the 17-year-old from Chiang Mai.

Noppawan, or Nok, has collected four junior-singles titles this year, including three in a row - in Sarawak, Manila and Indore. She then polished her resume with some astonishing results in major competitions, reaching the junior Wimbledon final and winning the US Open doubles trophy.

In the small pro events, Noppawan won the US$25,000 title in Balikpapan and a US$10,000 event in Chiang Mai. She is currently No 356 in the WTA rankings but is poised to reach break into the top 200 after her decision to concentrate on the pro circuit next season. "I will play in junior events only at the Grand Slams as I want to focus on the pro circuit. Next year will be my last on the junior circuit and I would love to win a Grand Slam."

Meanwhile, former French Open finalist Martin Verkerk announced he is quitting professional tennis. "It had been my plan to play more matches," the Dutchman said. "It's a pity it didn't work out."

The big serving Verkerk won two ATP tournaments, at Milan in 2003 and the Dutch Open a year later.