Vergeer and Kunieda Continue Winning Streak at US Open

One of the most remarkable athletes in Paralympic Sport, Esther Vergeer took a sixth consecutive US Open Wheelchair Women’s Singles title by defeating fellow Dutchwoman Aniek Van Koot 6-2, 6-1 at the weekend.

Vergeer converted six of seven breaks and won 53 total points in what was to be her 429th consecutive Wheelchair Tennis Singles win.

Van Koot had several opportunities to challenge Vergeer – she broke early to get within 2-1 in the first set and looked to break at 30-0 in the third game of the second set – but Vergeer used her powerful forehand to dominate the match.

Vergeer said: “I am happy with the result. I was confident, even though I didn’t feel as strong as the past two years. Aniek definitely came out tough.”

“I enjoy the environment here. The fans are incomparable to any other Grand Slam. There were so many people watching this week and it was great. If there are a lot of people enjoying the game and cheering at the right time, it makes me feel good.”

Vergeer also picked up the trophy in the Doubles match with partner Sharon Walraven. They beat the other Dutch team of Aniek van Koot and Jiske Griffioen in a close match 7-5, 6-7, 6-4.

Japan’s Shingo Kunieda claimed his fifth US Open Wheelchair Tennis Men’s Singles crown against France’s Stephane Housdet 3-6, 6-1, 6-0.

Houdet, who was the first player to beat Kunieda and end his three-year, 106-match winning streak in November 2010, was one set away from claiming the US Open title as his own. But after Houdet took the first set, Kunieda went on a 12-1 winning streak to take the final two sets.

Houdet and his partner Nicholas Peifer were, however, victorious in the Men’s Wheelchair Tennis Doubles. They beat the Netherlands’ Maiekl Scheffers and Ronald Vink 6-3, 6-1.

USA’s David Wagner won the Quad Singles against Great Britain’s Peter Norfolk.