Reid and Hewett defeated in Japan Open doubles semi-finals

Gordon Reid and Alfie Hewett bowed out in the men’s doubles semi-finals at the Japan Open after the home pairing of Shingo Kunieda and Takashi Sanada battled back from a set down.

The British pair took the first set (6-3) in their bid to defend their title from last year but lost the second set (6-2) before the Japanese duo completed the comeback by taking the third set (6-4) to set up a final with France’s top seeds Stephane Houdet and Nicolas Peifer.

Reid and Hewett had come through a quarter-final against Japan’s Daisuke Arai and Thailand’s Suthi Khlongrua (6-2 6-3) after eliminating Malaysian pair Mohamad Yusshazwan Bin Yusuf and Abu Samah Borhan (6-0 6-3) in the first round.

With both players already eliminated in the singles competition, defeat means the end of any British challenge for silverware in Iizuka.

Reid, who was vying for a third consecutive singles title, was beaten by top seed and home favourite Kunieda in the quarter-finals, with the Japanese ace dropping just one game on his way to a 6-1 6-0 win.

Meanwhile, doubles partner Hewett suffered a surprise 6-7 (9) 6-3 6-4 loss in the first round against Dutchman Tom Egberink.