Australian Open: Henry Bernet follows Roger Federer's footsteps, wins title

Henry Bernet celebrated his 18th birthday on Saturday. One of the best present he acquired? The Australian Open junior title trophy! The younger Swiss took down the American Benjamin Willwerth 6-3, 6-4 in an hour and 11 minutes to elevate a trophy and make a reputation for himself.

One other younger Swiss claimed a junior Main title in 1999. The parallel between Federer and Bernet is tremendous sturdy! Henry is the Basel native who made his first tennis steps at TC Outdated Boys, identical to Roger. He additionally extends the legacy of a one-handed backhand.

Henry Bernet & Benjamin Willwerth, Australian Open 2025© Stream screenshot

The younger Swiss made a reputation for himself in July final 12 months, turning into the primary participant born in 2007 in the Challenger quarter-final. He was additionally the youngest Swiss within the Challenger quarter-final since, you guessed, Roger Federer in 1999.

Ultimately, Bernet works with Severin Luthi, Federer’s shut buddies and the previous coach.

Un Suisse qui vient de Bâle, entraîné par Severin Lüthi avec un revers à une predominant, qui joue avec une raquette Wilson, ça ne vous rappelle rien ?

Roge… Henry Bernet s’adjuge l’Open d’Australie Junior le jour de ses 18 ans ! 🎂

Beau cadeau.pic.twitter.com/betMykvTK3

— Tennis Legend (@TennisLegende) January 25, 2025

Bernet is now a Main winner, lifting a notable trophy initially of the season and gathering a lift for extra within the upcoming months. Henry made the distinction together with his first serve and overpowered his opponent with sturdy hitting.

The Swiss hit 23 winners and 25 unforced errors and diminished the American to beneath ten winners! Bernet dropped 14 factors in his video games and defended each break factors. He saved the stress on Willwerth and stole 40% of the return factors.

Henry Bernet, Australian Open 2025© Stream screenshot

The birthday boy generated ten break possibilities and transformed three, sealing the deal in straight units and lifting a trophy. They stayed neck and neck within the shortest and most superior rallies. Henry took cost within the mid-range exchanges and claimed the win in that space.

Benjamin confronted three break factors within the first recreation of the encounter. He held his nerves and defended them earlier than touchdown a service winner to convey the sport residence. Bernet served properly early on for 2-2 and made one other push on the return in recreation 5.

The Swiss fired a backhand winner to safe a break and transfer in entrance. Henry cemented the lead with a maintain in recreation six and fired an unreturned serve two video games later for 5-3. Willwerth served to remain within the set in recreation 9 and missed recreation factors.

Bernet painted a slice winner for a set level and squandered it after netting a routine forehand. He transformed the second set level after Benjamin’s mistake, wrapping up the opener 6-3 in 33 minutes. Henry confronted two break factors initially of the second set.

He saved them, the second with a smash winner, and survived the one difficult service recreation of the duel. Benjamin confronted points at 1-2. He saved two break factors and remained on the optimistic facet. The American held at love within the eighth recreation, locking the end result at 4-4.

Feeling no stress, Bernet closed the ninth recreation with a service winner and made a push on the return at 5-4. The Swiss welcomed the American’s backhand error and earned two match factors. Henry seized the primary when Benjamin despatched a lob lengthy, celebrating a Main crown on his 18th birthday.

The Swiss hopes to shift this momentum to Futures and Challengers and make a noise on the ATP rating listing. The younger gun possesses all of the weapons to realize that!