Callington's Jake Horton will be following in the footsteps

of Rafael Nadal and Venus Williams after winning at the County Finals stage of the HSBC Road to Wimbledon National 14-and-Under Challenge on Sunday.

The 14-year-old will now represent the Dragon Performance Academy (Bodmin) at the National Finals in August on the world-famous grass courts of the All England Lawn Tennis Club, after beating other young tennis hopefuls in the County Final.

Jake celebrated after overcoming Oliver Elston of St Austell in the final 6-2, 6-4, and will be joined at Wimbledon by Alisa Cole of Rock, who won the girls' section of the County Final.

The 12-year-old, who attends Truro School, beat 13-year-old India Rojano 6-1, 6-2 in the final. Both girls and Jake are coached by Guy Leverton at Dragon Performance Academy.

Experienced Wimbledon competitor Tim Henman, HSBC Ambassador for the HSBC Road to Wimbledon 14-and-Under Challenge, said: 'Competitions like the HSBC Road to Wimbledon are a fantastic way to help nurture British tennis, and it is great that HSBC continues to help cultivate all this young talent.

'HSBC supported me through much of my career and, having participated in their schools events as a junior myself, it's a great pleasure to be able to help the bank support the stars of the future.'

The HSBC Road to Wimbledon National 14-and-Under Challenge is the largest national junior grass court tournament of its kind, and gives young players from all over the country the opportunity to compete at a local, county and national level.

In its eighth year, the tournament has attracted some 20,000 boys and girls in 2009, all competing to earn a place in the National Finals. 

Ann Williams, Cornwall County organiser said: 'A perfect summer's day at Newquay saw some excellent tennis and a very high standard of play from the Cornish girls and boys. All four players produced some great tennis in the finals, with Jake and Alisa from the Dragon Performance Academy winning. I would like to wish them the best of luck for the National Finals... what a fantastic experience.'

Recognised as one of Britain's leading junior tennis events, the HSBC Road to Wimbledon 14-and-Under Challenge culminates in August with 128 junior tennis players from 44 counties vying for the boys' and girls' singles titles. Tournament director Paul Hutchins said: 'I look forward to watching Jake and Alisa play at the National Finals in what should be a fantastic week for junior tennis in Britain.'

For further information, or if you wish to attend the National Finals, contact Lauren Sanderson, HSBC Road to Wimbledon press officer, on 07789 312 994 or e-mail: [email protected]">[email protected]