As signalled by her early intentions, Christy Striplin duly laid claim to the inaugural ITF Girls' Open singles (18 and Under) title in Bermuda yesterday.

The affable 15-year-old subdued her American compatriot Ashley Finnegan 6-1, 6-1 at the Tennis Stadium as the Bank of Bermuda Foundation ITF World-Ranking Junior Tournament drew towards a close.

Both finalists displayed awesome power and strong strokeplay but Striplin's patience and shot placement got the better of her rival.

Finnegan, the eldest of three sisters in the tournament, was guilty of losing her cool on a number of points and producing a flurry of unforced errors.

In both sets, she was down 5-0 before she fought back to win a consolation game, breaking Striplin in the first set and winning her own serve in the second. However, it was always clear whose hands would be on the winner's trophy.

Striplin, who has been on the junior circuit just two months, clinched her second title in four events with one of many vicious forehands down the line.

The elated Alabama native said consistency and mental strength in tight situations were responsible for her success.

"I am especially happy because I came in as the number one seed and that's a lot of pressure - especially coming here alone. I am just happy that I took care of what I was supposed to do."

Rating her "backhand down the line" as her "favourite shot" the impressive teen expressed surprise at how much she has excelled in such a short time. Her goal is to play in the Junior US Open. However, last night she had a more immediate ambition - to win the doubles with Bermuda's Ashley Brooks.

The pair disposed of Bermuda's Caitlin Gordon and Analy Guzman of Guatemala earlier in the day 6-2, 6-1 and were set to meet Stephania Velazquez of Aruba and Suriname's Jo-Ann Van Aerde for the championship.

Despite the loss Finnegan will always remember Bermuda as she reached her first ITF final here. It was the second time she had bean beaten by Striplin. In their one previous meeting, she lost 6-0, 6-2.

"I enjoyed it a lot. It's a beautiful island and I really liked it. I think I played pretty well overall. I wished I could have performed better but I am still learning. I always learn from each match," said the 15-year-old Florida resident who joined the junior Tour last summer.

Since then she has "progressed a lot", she noted.

"I started out losing in the first round of qualifiers. Now, I am seeded in main draws."

Her younger sister, Caitlin Finnegan, was also on the wrong end of the score in the 14 and Under Girls' final. She was beaten 6-1, 6-2 by 14-year-old Guzman.

The tournament finishes today with two matches starting at 11 a.m. The 14 and Under Boys' final will be an all-Bermuda affair with Harry Masters against Thomas Svensen followed by the Boys' Open singles finale with Americans Maciek Sykut and Dylan Arnould battling for the top honour.