The British duo, appearing at their fourth Grand Slam in 11 months, narrowly lost a first-set tie-break to Italy’s Jasmine Paolini and Martina Trevisan but stormed back brilliantly to win the second set 6-1.

An absorbing third set saw Barnett and Nicholls recover from an early break to level at 4-4 before Paolini and Trevisan won the last two games, saving a break point, to edge the match 7-6(5) 1-6 6-4 after two hours and 39 minutes of terrific tennis on Court 11.

A first set full of momentum swings established the tone, with Barnett and Nicholls being broke in their second and third service games but responding immediately on both occasions.

An epic 11th game lasting almost nine minutes went to deuce four times and saw the Brits save a break point before eventually going 6-5 up. Paolini and Trevisan took the set to a tie-break, though, and a double fault on set point ensured the Italians came out on top 7-5.

Barnett – coached by Ian MacDonald at the Team Bath Sports Training Village – and Nicholls quickly put that disappointment behind them as they broke to love in the opening game of the second set. They went on to break twice more during a dominant spell and win 6-1 to take the match to a decisive third set.

It was Paolini and Trevisan’s turn to break to love in the opening game and regain the initiative but Barnett and Nicolls hit back in the eighth game, converting their third break point to level at 4-4.

However, the Italians broke again and then saved a break point in their last service game to finally see off the battling Brits, who will now turn their attention to the grass-court season and Wimbledon.

Visit teambath.com/tennis to find out more about the Pro Tennis Team, part of Team Bath’s all-encompassing tennis programme.

With thanks to the Team Bath Press Office

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.

Jordanne Whiley and Gordon Reid both beat higher ranked players on Thursday’s opening day of the Roland Garros wheelchair tennis event to reach the men’s and women singles semi-finals, Whiley doing so at the expense of world No. 1 and defending champion Jiske Griffioen.

On a good day for players on the Tennis Foundation’s Wheelchair Tennis World Class Programme, Reid and Whiley also reached the men’s and women’s doubles finals. Whiley and Japan’s Yui Kamiji won a deciding match tie-break in their semi-final that also saw Lucy Shuker on the other side of the net.

Lucy Shuker (Photo: Tennis Foundation)

World No.4 Whiley made a sensational start to her latest singles campaign in Paris against top seed Griffioen, racing through the opening set 6-0. Griffioen hit back to take the second set, but Whiley secured an early break in the decider and maintained her cushion to wrap up a 6-0, 2-6, 6-3 victory.

“I was just focusing on my game today and trying to worry less about Jiske’s,” said a highly-delighted Whiley after beating the Dutchwoman for the third time to reach her first Roland Garros singles semi-final. “I kept good movement around the court, which was tough on wet clay. Every match at a Slam is really difficult and, I’ll be honest, I’m not a fan of playing on clay, as it doesn’t suit my game, but I adjusted well today.

“I can’t believe I’ve beaten the world No. 1 when I’ve never won a singles match here in Paris. But I had a new game plan and played to my strengths more. After winning the US open last year I’ve got more self-belief that I can beat these guys, so I’m going for the title and I’ve got two matches left to do it,” added Whiley, who will now play German world No.5 Sabine Ellerbrock for a place in the final.

British No.2 and world No.7 Shuker put in a solid effort as she tried to join Whiley in the women’s singles semi-finals but eventually bowed out to Dutch world No.6 Marjolein Buis 6-1, 4-6, 6-2.

Gordon Reid (Photo: Tennis Foundation)

Gordon Reid, also world ranked No. 4 in men’s singles, edged a close first set against world No.3 Peifer after the Frenchman retrieved a break to level at 5-5. However, the Australian champion clinched the breakthrough in the second set to seal a 7-5, 6-3 victory for place in his third Roland Garros men’s singles semi-final.

”I’m really happy with how I played in quite tricky conditions in the cold. I think everyone was feeling it a bit out there so I’m glad I could stay focused and dictated the points,” said Reid, who will now play French world No.1 Stephane Houdet in the last four. “It was a tough match and you never quite know how Nico is going to play so I had to stay on top of each point as he’s such a tough opponent.

“I’m here to win the singles and follow up from my success in Australia, so am really looking forward to playing in the semis tomorrow and warming everyone up in the crowd!

Reid and Japan’s Shingo Kunieda began the defence of their men’s doubles title in fine form when the second seeds defeated Argentina’s Gustavo Fernandez and Joachim Gerard of Belgium 6-2, 6-3 in their semi-final. They will find out who they will play in the final during Friday’s scheduled second day of play.

With a Brit guaranteed a place in the women’s doubles final, Shuker and Buis made a promising start to their semi-final against second seeds, 2014 champions and 2015 runners-up Whiley and Yui Kamiji. However, Whiley and Kamiji held on to win a thrilling contest 4-6, 6-4, (10-3), reaching their third successive Roland Grarros final. They will also find out on Friday who they will play in the final as they continue their quest for a seventh Grand Slam doubles title together.

Report courtesy of The Tennis Foundation

With just eight competitors the singles quarter finals line up like this:

Lucy Shuker (7) lost to Marjolein Buis (6) – 1-6, 6-4, 2-6

Aniek van Koot (3) lost to Yui Kamiji (2) – 6-2, 0-6, 3-6

Jiske Griffioen (1) lost to Jordanne Whiley (4) – 0-6, 6-2, 3-6

Sabine Ellerbrock (5) bt Charlotte Famin (18) – 6-4, 6-2

Semi Finals:

Marjolein Buis (6) bt Yui Kamiji (2) 7-6, 6-7, 6-1

Jordanne Whiley (4) lost to Sabine Ellerbrock (5) – 3-6, 6-1, 4-6

Finals:

Marjolein Buis (6) v Sabine Ellerbrock (5) – 3-6, 6-1, 4-6

While the doubles Semi Finals fixtures are:

Jisske Griffioen/Aniek van Koot v Sabine Ellerbrock/Charlotte Famin

Marjolein Buis/Lucy Shuker lost to  Yui Kamiji/Jordanne Whiley – 6-4, 4-6, 3-10

Results will be updated as soon as they come in and next round fixtures will be added.

Lead photo shows Lucy Shuker.