Barnes targets Wimbledon showdown with Murray

Rookie tennis star Alastair Barnes has targeted a Wimbledon showdown with Andy Murray next year after crashing out of the junior qualifying event at the final hurdle.

The Bisham Abbey-based teenager will graduate to the senior circuit next year but could not sign off his junior campaign by gracing the famous grass courts at the All England Club.

Barnes, 18, was just one match away from the main draw in SW19 but was defeated 6-2 3-6 6-3 by top seed German Kevin Krawietz at the Bank of England Sports Club in Roehampton.

But despite his disappointment, British No.1 junior Barnes has set his sights on a shot at the big time next year and is determined to qualify for the senior event in 2010.

“I’ll be too old for the juniors next year so I’m going to give it my all to try and get to senior Wimbledon,” said Barnes, who beat New Zealand’s Jordan Kelly-Houston 4-6 6-1 6-4 in the first round. “Playing Andy Murray would be ideal.

“I’ll still have the doubles to think about next week and I hold out for one of the lucky loser spots if someone pulls out but I’ll have to think what I’m going to do next.

“I’m gutted to be honest but I’ll move on from this.”

Nerves got the better of Barnes in the first set and Krawietz - the world No.32 in the global junior listings - took full advantage, wrapping up the set in double quick time.

But Barnes hit back in the second set to take the match to a decider, but one break of serve was enough to see the German progress.

“He’s a decent player who is playing really well and winning tournaments at the moment,” added Barnes.

“I’ve played him once before so I knew what to expect. It’s really frustrating because I upped my game against him and if I had held my serve in the last set it might have been different.

“But I’ll go back to the practice courts and continue working on my game because I want to start my senior career on a high.”

Leading life assurance and pensions company AEGON is lead partner of British Tennis and is backing the sport at all levels, from grassroots to world class tennis events. For further information visit www.lta.org.uk