By Glenys Furness
- Alfie Hewett claims first title of season
- Andy Lapthorne made semi-final in quad singles
VICTORIA, AUSTRALIA – Alfie Hewett claimed his first title of the season at the Victorian Open. Andy Lapthorne made the quad semi-final, whilst Lucy Shuker and Gordon Reid made the quarter-finals.
Alfie Hewett was the top seed at the Victorian Open and as a result received a bye in the first round. The second round saw the Brit against Casey Ratzlaff. The American stayed with the top seed in the first set, forcing a tie break. Hewett dominated the breaker and took the lead. The second set looked to be heading the same way, but the Brit managed to secure the vital break of serve right at the end and took the match in straight sets 7-6(1), 7-5.
In the quarter-final Hewett was against sixth seed Takuya Miki. The Japanese stayed with the top seed at the start of the first set. However, the Brit managed to break serve and took the lead. This was all Hewett needed and the Brit then dominated the second set to move on in straight sets 6-3, 6-1.
The semi-final saw the top seed against fourth seed Joachim Gerard. The Belgian found Hewett too strong, as the Brit dominated from the outset. No matter what Gerard threw at the Brit, the top seed was equal to it. Hewett made light work of the match and eased through in straight sets 6-2, 6-2.
In the final Hewett was against the second seed Martin De La Puente. The Spaniard was expected to stay close to the Brit. However, Hewett had other ideas. The first set saw the top seed dominate, as De La Puente struggled to hold serve. The second set was a little closer, but the Brit broke serve to take the title in straight sets 6-1, 6-4.
Quad singles
Andy Lapthorne was fifth seed and also received a bye in the first round. The second round saw the Brit against Janine Watson. Lapthorne dominated the match from the outset as the Australian couldn’t hold serve. The seed took the match without dropping a game and moved on 6-0, 6-0.
The quarter-final saw the Brit against top seed and his one time doubles partner American David Wagner. Lapthorne continued his dominating form and reeled off scintillating tennis in the first set. The Brit didn’t lose a game in the first set. The second set saw Wagner hold serve a couple of times, but the Brit was still on top form and moved through in straight sets 6-0, 6-2.
In the semi-final the Brit was against fourth seed Guy Sasson. The Israeli turned the tables on Lapthorne in the first set, dominating and taking the set without dropping a game. The Brit fought back in the second set, staying with Sasson and forcing a tiebreak. The Israeli edged the breaker and took the win 6-0, 7-6(6). Sasson went on to lift the title.
Wheelchair Round Up
Dahnon Ward was defeated by Joachim Gerard in the first round 6-2, 6-1.
Dahnon Ward with Casey Ratzlaff were defeated by Anderson Parker & Ben Weekes in the first round 7-5, 7-5.
Gordon Reid was defeated by Takashi Sanada in the quarter-final 7-5, 4-6, 6-3.
Lucy Shuker was defeated by Aniek Van Koot in the quarter-final 7-5, 6-2.
Andy Lapthorne & Gregory Slade were defeated by Leandro Pena & Ymanitu Silva in the semi-final 6-2, 7-6(4).
Lucy Shuker with Aniek Van Koot were defeated by Guo Luoyao & Zhu Zhenzhen in the semi-final 6-1, 4-6, 20-18.