She beat Britain’s No 1 Elena Baltacha in a three-set thriller, coming back from losing the first to take the match 3-6, 6-2, 6-1.
It was a cracking contest that lasted just under two hours with both players trading huge groundstrokes in front of an audience of over 350 at the tennis centre in St Brelade.
Tiny Laine stubbornly refused to give up and repeatedly returned shots from Baltacha that seemed to be clear winners.
Baltacha (21) was immaculate in the early stages and broke the Laine serve in the eighth to take a 5-3 lead, before serving out to capture the set.
But Laine (18), just kept returning in the second and Baltacha began making a series of unforced errors that were to cost her dear.
The British No 1’s frustration began to show and despite, at times, appearing to serve her way out of trouble, she invariably faltered on crucial points.
A clearly delighted Laine, who picked up a cheque for $3,541, said after the match that she felt she played well.
And she intends to come back to the Island to defend her title next year.
‘I was very pleased because it was a tough match against a good opponent.
I just kept in there and did not panic when I lost the first set.
I have enjoyed the tournament and I want to come back here next year to play,’ she said.
It was not the end of her triumphs in Jersey, however, as she was soon back on court to win the doubles competition, teaming up with German Kathrin Woerle to overcome Ipek Senoglu and Anousjka van Exel 1-6, 6-1, 6-1.
Tournament organiser Hugh Raymond, the Island’s tennis development officer, was no less pleased than the flying Finn.
‘The week has been a fantastic success, and we’re delighted with the way it all went.
It’s been very hard work but well worth it.
Now we have to decide whether we do it again next year.
The problem is that while this event has been very successful we could fall flat on our faces if it doesn’t go so well next time!’ ‘I was astounded by the number of spectators – over 350 – who turned out yesterday.
They were standing several deep to watch, and there were cars parked all over the grass, the spaces filled up so quickly.’
