The talented 16-year-old comfortably swept aside Sol Ailin Larraya Guidi 6-4 6-0 to advance to the second round of the girls’ singles draw, delighting a SW19 crowd famous for its fervent support of home talent.
For Klugman, that support holds an added significance having grown up in nearby Wimbledon Village and she was overjoyed to repay that faith.
âItâs always special winning at homeâ, said Klugman, who reached the French Open juniors final last June. âThat has added a little pressure because you want to win for them as well.
âIâm trying to stay calm and relaxed and take what I can for the seniors
âIâve not seen a crowd that big for a junior match and itâs nice knowing so many people are behind me.
âLast year, I didnât embrace it and Iâm embracing it now. Youâve got find your way a little bit. It is hard. I’m not going to pretend itâs not hard when youâre not the underdog but I think youâve got to enjoy it. Youâre at Wimbledon. Youâve got to embrace it and enjoy it.â
Klugman wasn’t the only British junior to enjoy success on Saturday, with Flora Johnson joining her in the second round.
Johnson defeated Sarah Melany Fajmonova 6-1 6-3 earlier in the day, confirming her place in the round of 32 for the second time in as many years.
But there was no such joy for Mika Stojsavljevic, with last year’s US Open junior champion losing out to Mia PohĂĄnkovĂĄ 7-6 6-1.
For the latest action on the British summer grass court season, check out the LTA website.
