Berta, Mladenovic win juniors titles

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PARIS -- Sweden had one champion Sunday at the French Open: Daniel Berta.

While Swede Robin Soderling lost the men's final to Roger Federer, Berta beat Gianni Mina of France 6-1, 3-6, 6-3 for the boys title.

The unseeded Berta became the first Swede to win the boys' title since Kent Carlsson in 1984.

No. 9-seeded Kristina Mladenovic of France won the girls' title by beating Daria Gavrilova of Russia 6-3, 6-2. The 5-foot-11 Mladenovic won every set in six rounds and hit serves at up to 124 mph, matching the fastest serve in the women's draw, by Venus Williams.

"I spent a wonderful week here," said Mladenovic, 16. "I have the trophy in my hands; it's just happiness for me."

Mladenovic won the juniors title after losing in the first round of the women's draw. She plans to play juniors at Wimbledon.

Berta, also 16, plans to play juniors the rest of this year then join the ATP Tour. He said he wants to improve his strokes and fitness.

"I think that's the biggest part that you have to improve to make it as a pro," he said.

Berta lives in Helsingborg but practices in Stockholm, sometimes with Soderling.

"I always had Pete Sampras as an idol," he said.

Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press

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