Doubles Dare to Win at the US Open

by Ryan M. Bright

Gordon Reid (GBR) competes at the 2014 US Open in Wheelchair Men’s Doubles- Finals. Photo by Carter Farmer.

FLUSHING, N.Y. – Chairs left the ground as players served and reached for stretched volleys at the US Open’s third day of wheelchair tennis for the Double Finals.

Shingo Kunieda (JPN)/Stephane Houdet (FRA) took on Gordon Reid (GBR)/Maikel Scheffers (NED) head-to-head in the Men’s Doubles finals. Kunieda/Houdet started the first set with a 3-0 lead. Reid/Scheffers scored two games, but they could not hit secure a final point to win the set. Kunieda/Houdet won 6-2.

The second set of the match steared the other way, giving Reid/Scheffers a 4-0 lead. After Kunieda/Houdet scored 2 games, Reid/Scheffers wrapped it up 6-2.

It all came down to the third set, where each team scored enough points to tie up the match, which caused an elimination round to seven. Kunieda/Houdet shot an early lead at 4-0 and closed the deal at 7-4 to win the game and match. Kunieda/Houdet have added this US Open Men’s Doubles to their list of recent Grand Slam wins at the Australia Open and Wimbledon.

Stephane Houdet (FRA) greets a fan at the 2014 US Open in Wheelchair Men’s Doubles – Finals. Photo by Carter Farmer.

Yui Kamiji (JPN) /Jordanne Whiley (GBR) faced Jiske Griffioen (NED)/Aniek Van Koot (NED) in the Women’s Doubles finals. Griffioen/Van Koot had defeated Kamiji/Whiley in the past, and started strong, only giving into a tie at 4-4. After the tie, however, Kamiji/Whiley ran away with the set 6-4.

Griffioen/Van Koot won the second set 6-3. The match was interrupted by rain, and about an hour later Kamiji/Whiley took hold of the third set, winning it 6-3. This was their fourth Women’s Doubles Grand Slam event.

Yui Kamiji (JPN) competes at the 2014 US Open in Wheelchair Women’s Singles – Finals. Photo by Michael A. Clubine.

David Wagner (Chula Vista, CA)/Nicholas Taylor (Wichita, KS) won Quad Doubles over Lucas Sithole (RSA)/Andy Lapthorne (GBR); 6-­3; 7­-5.

Wheelchair tennis games at the 2014 US Open conclude on Sunday, September 7. The schedule of play is Yui Kamiji vs. Aniek Van Koot for Women’s Singles and then for Men’s Singles, Shingo Kunieda vs. Gustavo Fernandez.

Nicholas Taylor (USA) and David Wagner (USA) win the Wheelchair Quad Doubles – Final at the 2014 US Open. Photo by Michael A. Clubine.

Jordanne Whiley (GBR) and Yui Kamiji (JPN) win the Wheelchair Women’s Doubles at the 2014 US Open. Photo by Michael A. Clubine.

Yui Kamiji (JPN) competes at the 2014 US Open in Wheelchair Women’s Singles – Finals. Photo by Michael A. Clubine.

Jiske Griffeon (NED) competes at the 2014 US Open in Wheelchair Women’s Singles- Finals. Photo by Michael A. Clubine.

About the Author:
Ryan M. Bright is a member of the Sports ‘n Spokes and Wheelchair Sports Federation media team reporting on events at 2014 US Open in Flushing, New York.  The all-volunteer media team consists of professional writers and photographers who are donating their time and expertise to showcase the athleticism of disabled U.S. athletes and highlight their world class achievements in wheelchair tennis.  Partnering with Sports ‘n Spokes, the Wheelchair Sports Federation is a non-profit organization that provides opportunities for the disabled and wheelchair using adults and youth to play sports recreationally and competitively.  For more information, visit www.WheelchairSportsFederation.org.