Photo credit: Mathilde Dusol
Great’s Britain’s men’s team made history on Friday after reaching the final of the World Group at the BNP Paribas World Team Cup for the first time in the 31 year history of the International Tennis Federation’s flagship wheelchair tennis team event in Antalya, Turkey.
After a 2-0 victory over Japan, top seeds Great Britain will now play second seeds and defending champions France in Sunday’s final.
On a fantastic fifth day of competition for the Brits, Great Britain also secured the bronze medal in the women’s World Group for the third time since 2011 after defeating second seeds Germany 2-0 after the two singles rubber, too. Great Britain started the women’s World Group as fourth seeds.
Seventeen-year-old Alfie Hewett, who helped lead Great Britain to victory in the junior event at the World Team Cup at the same venue in 2013, beat former world No. 3 Satoshi Saida 7-5, 6-1 to win the first singles rubber of Great Britain’s men’s semi-final.
British No. 1 and world No. 3 Gordon Reid then ensured Great Britain at least a silver medal after defeating world No. 7 Takashi Sanada 7-5, 6-2 in the second singles rubber.
Friday’s success means that Great Britain’s men will improve on their bronze medal from 2014, when Reid, McCarroll and Phillipson were all members of the team that won Britain’s first medal in the men’s World Group since 1989.
“It was a bit of a tense and nervous at the start today after going 5-3 down, but I did well to come back and finished off with some really good tennis,” said Hewett, the world No.1 ranked junior. “It was great to take the pressure off Gordon and it’s fantastic to make it through to the final knowing what I’ve contributed to us getting there. I’m really looking forward to playing France in the final.”
“I’m really proud of the team this week and we’re thrilled to have made history and to have got to the final for the first time,” said Reid. “We’ve all been members of GB teams over the years that have won either the junior or men’s World Group II titles, so we’ll give it our all against France to win the big one and add the World Group crown.”
World No. 9 Lucy Shuker got Britain’s women’s bronze medal challenge underway by racing through the opening set of her singles match against Bianca Osterer 6-0 before Osterer was forced to retire with Shuker also leading the second set 2-0.
World No. 5 Jordanne Whiley sealed Britain’s place among the medals in the women’s World Group for the sixth time in seven years when the British No. 1 defeated world No. 8 Katharina Kruger 7-5 7-5.
“I’m very proud of the team for pulling it out of the bag after what’s been a tough week,” said Whiley, who will now head to Roland Garros, where she will attempt to win her sixth successive Grand Slam women’s doubles title partnering Japan’s Yui Kamiji.”
“Winning the bronze is a great way to say a big thank you and give back to the Tennis Foundation, the National Lottery and UK Sport for all the support we receive,” said Shuker.
“We’re really happy to have come through and beaten our seeded position and to have taken the bronze medal. I look forward to next year when we will hopefully be competing for gold,” said British No. 3 Louise Hunt.”
“It’s wonderful to finish a tough week with a bronze medal. We came here with the aim of equalling or bettering our seeding and by coming third we have managed to do that. Everyone’s given 100 per cent and I really enjoy working with all three ladies, we make a great team,” said former Paralympian Kevin Simpson, captain of the GB women’s team.
“I honestly believe that with continued hard work it is only a matter of time before we can end the Netherlands’ dominance at the women’s event. Playing for your country is a great honour and they should all be very proud with the way they have performed.”
Great Britain’s quad team also finished their event on a winning note after defeating Korea 2-1 in the play off for seventh place. James Shaw, who has made his World Team Cup debut this week, and Jamie Burdekin won a thrilling deciding doubles rubber 3-6, 6-2, (12-10) after a match tie-break.
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