By Glenys Furness
- Alfie Hewett claims third US Open singles title
- Ben Bartram claims US Open Double
- First US Open Junior Wheelchair event
FLUSHING MEADOWS, NEW YORK, USA – Alfie Hewett claims third US Open singles title. Ben Bartram claimed the first US Open Junior Wheelchair event and partnered with Dahnon Ward to pick up the doubles title.
Alfie Hewett & Gordon Reid were in their sixth consecutive Wheelchair doubles final, aiming for a new record. After a walkover in the quarter-final, and then a straight sets win in the semi-final over Alexander Cataldo & Tokito Oda 6-3, 6-3. The Brits had set up a final against Martin De La Puente & Nicholas Peifer. The Brits claimed the first set, but the second seeds fought back in the second and levelled the match. A match tiebreak followed to settle the title and it was De La Puente & Peifer who edged the lead and the title 4-6, 7-5, 10-6.
Hewett was second seed in the singles and was against Maikel Scheffers. The Brit dominated the first set and took the lead. Scheffers tried to fight back in the second set, but Hewett secured the break of serve to take the match in straight sets 6-2, 6-4.
The semi-final pitched Hewett against Peifer. The Brit took the break of serve against the Frenchman in the first set to take the lead. The second set saw the seed dominate the match and move into the final in straight sets 6-3, 6-1.
In the final, Hewett was against the top seed Shingo Kunieda. The Japanese was looking to complete the Calander Grand Slam, whilst the Brit was aiming for his third US Open title. The first set was very tight, neither playing giving an inch, and forcing a tiebreak. Once in the tiebreak however, the Brit dominated and took the set. Hewett then dominated the second set to lift the title and stop Kunieda completing the calender slam 7-6(2), 6-1.
Hewett said afterward “It’s obviously an incredible feeling. Even though it’s the third one it doesn’t mean that it doesn’t mean as much as the last two. Actually, it means more this time around to bounce back after
everything that’s been going on (for family) the last eight or nine weeks and also after losing to him
in the final at Wimbledon.”
“To then fight and be resilient like I did, especially in that first set today, and then produce the level
of tennis I did in that second, it’s testament to my team, my mentality and everything I’ve worked
for, so I couldn’t be happier with the title.”
“After Wimbledon (losing to Kunieda after being a set and 2-0 up) you have to learn from those
matches. I don’t think I did anything wrong then but you’ve got to be aware that these players are
not going to go away; they are just as strong as I am. Some of the comebacks that Shingo’s done, that Jo (Gerard) has done, that Gustavo (Fernandez) has done, they’re all incredible athletes and all have great mindsets, so you have to be on it, even if you’re 3-0 or 4-0 up. That’s what I did so well. It’s easy to get a little bit complacent and think you can switch off but, as proven at Wimbledon, it doesn’t work like that.”
Ben Bartram was amongst several Brits making history as the US Open scheduled the first event for Junior Wheelchair players. Andrew Penney was in his last junior event and played Dahnon Ward in the first round. Although the second seed Penney struggled against Ward, who was on better form. Ward dominated the match from the start and took out Penney 6-2, 6-1.
Joshua Johns faced Saalim Nasar. The Australian took the match to the Brit, and secured the break of serve in each set. Johns was not able to get back into the match no matter how Johns tried. Nasar took the match in straight sets 6-3, 6-3.
Meanwhile Bartram, who was the top seed was against Ivar Van Rijt. The Brit dominated the Dutch player from the start and had little trouble breaking serve. The top seed only dropped three games in total during the whole match to move into the semi-final 6-1, 6-2.
Bartram then faced Nasar in the semi-final. The Australian was a much better challenge for the top seed. Bartram still managed to break the serve of Nasar in both sets and took the match in straight sets 6-4, 6-3. Ward was against Maximilian Taucher. The Austrian was unable to handle the Brit as Ward dominated the match dropping only two games to set up an all British final 6-2, 6-0.
The final saw both Brits stay fairly close in the first set, but Bartram eventually broke serve and moved ahead. The second set saw the top seed dominate his fellow Brit losing only one game to get the first US Open Junior Wheelchair boys singles title 6-4, 6-1.
Bartram & Ward then paired up for the doubles and were the top seeds. The semi-final was against Charlie Cooper & Johns. The Brits dominated from the start and had little trouble getting to the final in straight sets 6-2, 6-1. The Brits were then against Nasar & Taucher in the final. A closer contest, but the Brits secured the break of serves in both sets to lift the title 6-4, 6-3.
Bartram said afterwards “It’s amazing to be the first junior doubles champions. We first played doubles together when we were 12 or 13, so we’ve definitely come a long way. We’re best friends on and off court and get on really well and hopefully that shows when we play doubles.”
“In singles we both want to win, but it’s a great thing to be on court in the final knowing a British player will be the winner no matter what the result after all the work people have put in with us at the LTA and everywhere else”
Ward added “It was a bit of a ropey first set, but sometimes you have those matches when you just have to pull through. It’s one for the history books and very special for both of us.”
“In the great scheme of things there’s no pressure on either of us to win in the (singles) final. People develop at different rates, and it can be hard at times, but this is why we play – for these moments”.
Wheelchair Round Up
Lucy Shuker was defeated by Diede De Groot in the first round 6-2, 6-0.
Shuker with Dana Mathewson were defeated by Yui Kamiji & Kgothatso Montjane in the quarter-final 6-1, 6-0.
Andy Lapthorne was defeated by David Wagner in the quarter-final 4-6, 6-1, 6-2.
Lapthorne with Heath Davidson were defeated by Robert Shaw & Wagner in the semi-final 6-1, 6-1.
Reid was defeated by De La Puente in the first round 6-2 (RET).
Ellie Robertson was defeated by Yuma Takamuro in the quarter-final 6-3, 6-4.
Ruby Bishop was defeated by Takamuro in the semi-final 4-6, 7-5, 6-3.
Bishop with Lily Lautenschlager were defeated by Jade Moreira Lanai & Maylee Phelps in the final 6-0, 6-0.
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