Jordanne Whiley and Gordon Reid and won their second Roland Garros women’s and men’s doubles titles apiece on Saturday with their respective Japanese partners Yui Kamiji and Shingo Kunieda.
Meanwhile, another successful Grand Slam tournament for players on the Tennis Foundation’s Wheelchair Tennis World Class Programme saw Reid finish runner-up in Paris in his second men’s singles final of the year at one of the sport’s four majors.
Jordanne Whiley and Yui Kamiji (Photo: Tennis Foundation)
However, from 5-3 down Whiley and Kamiji won seven of the next eight points in the match tie-break to wrap up victory and regain the title they won for the first time in 2014. Whiley and Kamiji are now seven-time Grand Slam doubles champions, having won two Australian Opens, two Roland Garros titles, two Wimbledon titles and one US Open doubles crown.
“It’s been a very successful week in the end with another Grand Slam title and finishing off with an ace,” said Whiley, the reigning US Open women’s singles champion, who also beat world No.1 Griffioen earlier this week to reach the singles semi-finals.
“I put myself in with a really good chance to be in the singles final here and even though I didn’t make it, I feel positive about how my game is going and I’ll take more positives than negatives out of this week. Me and Yui both had little wobbles throughout the final today, but we lift each other up and I never have any doubts in her ability, as she’s like a boomerang and always comes back into it!
“I’m really confident for Wimbledon now and even though the grass can be tough, like clay, I can’t wait to play singles and doubles there and do everyone proud.”
Gordon Reid and Shingo Kuneda (Photo; Tennis Foundation)
Second seeds Reid and Kunieda raced into 3-0 leads in both sets of their men’s doubles final against Frenchman Michael Jeremiasz and Stefan Olsson of Sweden before sealing a comfortable 6-3, 6-2 victory to retain their title. Reid has now won three Grand Slam doubles titles.
“I’m pretty tired but feeling good after that. It was a high quality match with a really good crowd and I was proud I could refocus and come back and win the doubles title,” said Reid, who had earlier slipped to a 7-6(4), 6-1 loss to Argentinian world No. 6 Gustavo Fernandez as the British No. 1 attempted to add to his Australian Open men’s singles title.
Gordon Reid and Shingo Kunieda (Photo: Tennis Foundation)
“It’s been a good week to get this far and get to back-to-back Grand Slam singles finals. I wasn’t good enough today and he was very strong in his hitting zone and he was hitting his backhand really well.
“He had all the momentum in the second set and was very aggressive. It’s a massive disappointment as these are the matches you want to win most of all. But it’s still good for gaining confidence ahead of Rio and enjoying more experience of playing in front of big crowds in important matches,” added the Scot, who joined countryman Andy Murray in reaching successive Grand Slam singles finals.
“I’m sure Murray can win tomorrow – it won’t be easy but I’ll be backing him! But I’m also looking to do well at Wimbledon; my style of play suits the grass. I love playing at Wimbledon and I’m very excited about singles and it will be extra special for us British players.”
Report and photos courtesy of the Tennis Foundation.
