Super Series finale set to begin

The world’s best men, women and quad players will line up for the US Open USTA Wheelchair Championships in St. Louis, the sixth and last Super Series event of the season, between 28 August and 2 September.

Shingo Kunieda, the candidate

The Japanese has resumed winning ways, regaining the world No. 1 ranking after victory at the first two men’s singles Grand Slam of the year. He also added a Super Series crown at the British Open.

In total, the five Super Series events so far this year have been shared among four players: Kunieda, Gordon Reid, Gustavo Fernandez and Alfie Hewett.

The reigning St. Louis champion is France’s world No. 3 Stephane Houdet.

Meanwhile, Belgium’s world No. 6 Joachim Gerard arrives in US soil fresh from victory at the ITF 1 Birmingham Canadian Classic.

Who can challenge Diede de Groot and Yui Kamiji?

When it comes to the women’s singles, two players have dominated the season to date.

Netherlands’ world No. 1 Diede de Groot arrives in St. Louis after winning three Super Series titles, while Yui Kamiji claimed two.

The Japanese is also the defending champion after her memorable deciding set tie-break victory over de Groot in last year’s final. She is looking to repeat this year to maintain as much pressure as possible on the Dutch player at the top of the world rankings.

Germany’s world No. 4 Sabine Ellerbrock will be in St. Louis after winning the Birmingham Canadian Classic.

Netherlands’ world No. 3 Aniek van Koot and world No. 5 Marjolein Buis will also lead the challengers trying to break the current de Groot-Kamiji grip on the Super Series events.

Wagner bidding for eighth quad singles title

The only top 10 ranked players missing from the quad singles line-up in St. Louis are South Africa’s Lucas Sithole and Brazil’s Ymanitu Silva.

Three players have won 2018’s five Super Series quad singles title to date. Dylan Alcott and David Wagner won two apiece. Meanwhile, Japan’s Koji Sugeno earned his first career Super Series crown at the BNP Paribas Open de France.

USA’s Wagner is bidding for his eighth US Open Super Series singles title this year after winning his latest title in St. Louis two years ago.