Kamiji, Whiley and Houdet capture doubles Grand Slam at Flushing Meadows

Kamiji and Whiley won the women's double titles, whilst Houdet and Kunieda secured the men's equivalent at the US Open. 08 Sep 2014
Imagen
Two players sat in wheelchair holding trophies on their laps. In the background are two USA flags.

Great Britain's Jordanne Whiley (L) and Japan's Yui Kamiji (R) celebrate with their trophies after defeating Jiske Griffioen of the Netherlands and Aniek Van Koot of the Netherlands during their wheelchair women's doubles final at the 2014 US Open.

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By IPC and ITF

Wheelchair tennis players Jordanne Whiley of Great Britain and Japan’s Yui Kamiji made history on Saturday (6 September) by completing a Grand Slam of women’s double titles in the same year with victory at the US Open.

The pair beat Dutch defending champions Jiske Griffieoen and Aniek van Koot, who won a calendar Grand Slam of doubles titles last year, 6-4, 3-6, 6-3 to add the US Open to the Australian, French and Wimbledon crowns they won earlier this year.

"I can’t even believe it,” said Whiley after also becoming the first British tennis player ever to capture the same event at all four Grand Slam tournaments in the same year.

“I can’t even describe to you what it feels like. A mixture of emotions on and off the court. I felt sick at one point, felt enjoyment at another. And now it’s just a little bit of relief.”

The men’s doubles title was won by France’s Stephane Houdet and Japan’s Shingo Kunieda who beat Great Britain’s Gordon Reid and the Netherlands’ Maikel Scheffers in a three set thriller. By winning, Houdet became the only man in the history of wheelchair tennis to win a calendar Grand Slam in doubles

After losing the first set, Reid and Scheffers hit back to take the second and have two match points in the third. However, they could not hold their nerve and the world No. 1’s hit-back to win the decider on a tie break 7-4. The final score was 6-2, 2-6, 7-6 (7-4).

The quads doubles final was won for the sixth time by the US duo of David Wagner and Nick Taylor after they beat South Africa’s Lucas Sithole and Great Britain’s Andy Lapthorne 6-3, 7-5.

“Winning it here on our soil is so special,” Taylor told www.usopen.org. “This game is evolving, and so many players coming up are strong and talented. It’s a major challenge to keep with the competition, and with a partner like David, it’s a privilege.”

On Sunday, the singles finals will take place in the men’s, women’s and quads competitions.

The quads final will be contested by Lapthorne and Wagner who both progressed from the four player round robin tournament.