Jordanne Whiley is out of the singles competition after losing to Sabine Allerbrock in three sets. Whiley saw her bid to reach her first Roland Garros singles final come to an end in the semi-finals after a close encounter against Ellerbrock.
After dropping the opening set world No.4 Whiley raced through the second set. However, the 2015 US Open champion was just edged out as world No.5 Ellerbrock moved into the final 6-3, 1-6, 6-4.
Six-time Grand Slam champions Whiley and Kamiji will contest their third successive Roland Garros women’s doubles final on Saturday, when they will attempt to regain a crown they won for the first time in 2014 before finishing as runners-up last year.
Gordon Reid (Photo: Tennis Foundation)
However, better news is the men’s competition as Britain’s Gordon Reid booked his place in his second successive Grand Slam men’s singles final on Friday after beating world No.1 Stephane Houdet of France at Roland Garros.
Australian Open champion and world No.4 Reid will play world No.6 Gustavo Fernandez of Argentina in Saturday’s final before partnering Japan’s Shingo Kunieda later in the day in the men’s doubles final as the second seeds bid to retain their title in Paris.
Brits on the Tennis Foundation’s Wheelchair Tennis World Class Programme will contest three finals on Saturday, with Jordanne Whiley also partnering Yui Kamiji of Japan in the women’s doubles final.
Reid had opportunities to earn a two-game cushion early in his semi-final, especially during a marathon sixth game, but finally earned the crucial breakthrough to lead 5-3 before closing out the opening set.
The British No. 1 then came from behind in the second set to seal a 6-3, 6-4 victory and his eighth win over Houdet in their last nine matches.
“Playing Stephane is always tough, he’s not world No.1 for nothing, but I’ve got a good record against him and know what to look out for now,” said Reid
“But today, trying for my first Roland Garros final in his home country, it’s a big win for me and I’m delighted. I can’t wait until tomorrow. It’s going to be another tough match, as my Australian Open semi against Gustavo was a very long three sets, but I’m really up for it and it should be a great contest.”
Reid and Kunieda, the men’s doubles champions at Roland Garros in 2015, were runners-up at the Australian Open in January shortly after Reid gained the first Grand Slam singles title of his career.
Report courtesy of the Tennis Foundation
