Shuker clinches first title of 2016 with doubles success at Bolton Indoors

Shuker clinches first title of 2016 with doubles success at Bolton Indoors

Lucy Shuker’s journey to what she hopes will be more Paralympic medal success in Rio takes the Ash Priors star to the USA next month after landing her latest international wheelchair tennis title much closer to home over the weekend.

Shuker and fellow Brit Louise Hunt won the women’s doubles at the USN Bolton Arena Indoor as Shuker tasted doubles success at the ITF 2 Series event for the third successive year.

After twice pairing up with her London 2012 bronze medal-winning doubles partner Jordanne Whiley to earn victory in Bolton in 2014 and 2015, Shuker partnered Hunt to two straight sets wins this year, both wins coming after first set tie-breaks before more clear cut second sets.

Their second success saw the British third seeds pull through to beat second seeds Katharina Kruger Germany and Michael Spaanstra of the Netherlands 7-6(5), 6-2.  

However, Shuker and Hunt’s fourth international doubles title together and a third title on the day in Bolton for players on the Tennis Foundation’s Wheelchair Tennis World Class Programme, came after they were awarded a walkover in the final against top seeds Whiley and Marjolein Buis of the Netherlands.

“I teamed up with Louise for a change in Bolton, and I’m delighted to maintain my title, despite receiving a walkover in the final as our opponents were forced to retire due to injury. It’s not the way you like to gain a title, but we have to be pleased by improving on our seeding to get to the final in the first place,” said Taunton-based Shuker, whose singles campaign came to an end in the semi-finals against second seed Buis.  

“Having returned a few weeks ago from Australia, where I felt I was playing some really good tennis, I'm a bit disappointed with my singles performance in Bolton. However, looking ahead there are aspects of my game which I am working on in preparation for the next major tour in the US and I now have two weeks to finely tune these.

“Jordanne and I will be teaming up again for both tournaments in America, where I hope we will be able to capitalise on some good form together and further prepare for Rio later this year.”

Shuker will play back-to-back ITF 1 Series events in the USA in March, beginning with the Pensacola Open in Florida.