Nugent going strong

Ireland's Stephen Nugent played himself into a strong position in the first round of the junior singles at Wimbledon this weekend. The 17year-old from Dublin took the first set against Germany's Denis Gremelmayr and led the second set 6-5 before rain stopped play on Saturday evening.

Nugent, who was watched by his brother, former Irish Davis Cup player Michael, is a cousin of Federation Cup player and former Wimbledon junior competitor Karen. He began nervously by dropping his serve in the first game, but in a refreshing revival, showed little hesitation in approaching the net to face the searing groundstokes of the German and immediately broke back. Nugent then served out the ninth game to love before breaking again to take the first set 6-4.

The second set was more evenly matched with both players breaking each other twice on Court 10, again with Nugent playing the pressure points brilliantly. Even as the rain began to fall, people ran for cover and the courts around him abandoned their games, Nugent held his composure and successfully served his last game before play was abandoned.

The young player's obvious confidence was impressive as was his willingness to approach the net and his racquet control, which enabled him to deal with Gremelmayr's roasting drives.

The young Irishman was not all conformity, however, causing a short debate between officials about the legality of his shirt, which the rules say should be predominantly white.

Spared the solemn ritual where a replacement shirt is brought to court in order for the offensive garment to be removed, Nugent will continue his match today at noon, probably in a different shirt.