Norfolk's Alfie Hewett falls just short in Open singles final after doubles grand slam win
Hewett claimed the record for most consecutive doubles grand slam wins
Last updated 27th Jan 2022
Norfolk's tennis star Alfie Hewett has fallen just short of the Australian Open wheelchair singles title, after defeat to world No 1 Shingo Kunieda.
The Japanese champion beat Hewett 7-5 3-6 6-2 overnight to win his 11th Australian Open Singles title.
Hewett fought hard in his third Australian Open singles final appearance, but his opposition proved too good on the day, beating the Norfolk man after two hours and 12 minutes.
It's the second time the pair have played each other in quick succession, with Hewett coming out on top in the doubles grand slam title at Melbourne Park yesterday (26 January).
Hewett, alongside partner Gordon Reid, made tennis history by claiming their ninth consecutive grand slam title at the Australian Open - beating Gustavo Fernandez and Shingo Kunieda 6-2, 4-6, 10-7.
The victory means the pair have gone one further that Martina Navratilova and Pam Shriver's record, who won eight women's doubles titles in a row between Wimbledon in 1983 and the French Open in 1985.
Reid, Alfie's teammate, said: “These kind of records, I think we always take them with a pinch of salt because it’s a little bit different for us to win a grand slam title than it may be for people in the other draw.
“It’s always nice to hear them but, at the same time, I think we just focus on what we’re doing and we’re just enjoying each one as it comes. Just trying to improve and try and push our partnership forward and try and come back better in the next one.”
There was also British success in the quad doubles final, where Andy Lapthorne and American David Wagner defeated Dutch top seeds Sam Schroder and Niels Vink 2-6 6-4 (10-7).