Reid and Hewett push for doubles glory in Japan

Wheelchair tennis stars Gordon Reid and Alfie Hewett are into the semi-finals of the men’s doubles at the Japan Open, as they hunt a joint success after both being eliminated in the singles.

They are just two victories away from a trophy after straight-set wins over Malaysian duo Mohamad Yusshazwan Bin Yusuf and Abu Samah Borhan (6-0 6-3) as well as Japan’s Daisuke Arai and Thailand’s Suthi Khlongrua (6-2 6-3) in the first two rounds.

It has been a happy hunting ground for the British pair, who are defending champions as well as runners-up in 2016 and 2017. They go on to face Japanese fourth seeds Shingo Kunieda and Takashi Sanada in their semi-final.

Reid missed out on a chance to make it three Japan Open men’s singles titles in a row, after being knocked out in the quarter-finals.

He was beaten by top seed and home-favourite Kunieda, with the Japanese ace dropping just one game on his way to a 6-1 6-0 win.

The Rio 2016 Paralympic Games gold medallist had beaten Kunieda’s compatriot Naofumi Kohno 6-0 6-0 in his opener and triumphed 7-5 6-2 against France’s Frederic Cattaneo in the second round before defeat in the last-eight.

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

It was a shock for the 2016 Paralympic silver medallist after shining in Seoul on his way to the Korea Open men’s singles title last week.

But there could still be glory for the British pair in the doubles, where they are seeded second.

Elsewhere, Antony Cotterill was impressive in beating Daisuke Ishito 6-0 5-7 6-1 in his opener in the quads singles but he lost out against South African, and fifth seed, Lucas Sithole in the second round 6-2 6-1.

He was also knocked out in the quarter finals of the doubles, as he and American partner Greg Hasterok – the fourth seeds – were beaten 6-2 6-2 by Sithole and his compatriot Donald Ramphadi.