Boys to men as Germany's Zverev takes title

German teenager Alexander Zverev said he was ready to take on the men on Saturday after lifting the Australian Open boys' title. The tall and skillful Zverev, 16, beat America's Stefan Kozlov 6-3, 6-0 for his first junior Grand Slam success, benefiting from an ankle injury to his opponent early in the second set. Afterwards, the confident Zverev, ranked 807 in the world, said he was ready to step up and play against senior men. "On a good day I think me and Stefan and of course some other guys can really play with them," he said. Meanwhile Russia's Elizaveta Kulichkova, 17, was crowned the girls' champion, rolling past Croat Jana Fett 6-2, 6-1. Many former junior Australian champions have gone on to bigger success, including current world number two Victoria Azarenka. On the men's side, Stefan Edberg was an Australian junior champion. He went on to win six Grand Slams and is currently coaching Roger Federer. Source: AFP