Cotterill reaches final after winning Battle of the Brits
SECOND SEED BEATS SLADE BUT FELLOW BRITON SHAW LOSES TO US TOP SEED
ANTONY Cotterill became the first Briton to book a place in a final at the Loughborough Indoor Wheelchair Tennis Tournament after an epic three hour and 32 minute quad singles semi-final yesterday, writes Marshall Thomas.
Cotterill beat fellow Brit Greg Slade 6-3 6-7 6-4 at Loughborough University Tennis Centre to book his place in tomorrow’s title decider.
After having a bye into the last four, the Rio Paralympian was relieved to open his 2021 account with a win. “I didn’t play great today, but if that’s anything to go by Greg’s going to be a very good player,” said second seed Cotterill.
“He made me work hard and there were quite a few times that I thought he was going to come through, but luckily I just managed to scrape it.
“I’ve been in quite a few situations like that before and I’d like to think my experience told, but it’s just great to be back competing again.
Cotterill ended 2020 by contesting the Czech Indoor final against James
Shaw, but Shaw’s hopes of making it another all-British final came undone against American top seed Bryan Barten.
Despite taking a set off world No.12 Barten for the first time, Shaw eventually saw his singles campaign end 2-6 6-0 6-2.
Elsewhere, Britons Alfie Hewett and Gordon Reid led all eight seeds into the men’s singles quarter-finals.
Hewett made it five wins in six matches at the Loughborough University Tennis Centre as he returned to the scene of his victory at the yearend Singles Masters in 2017.
“The last time I was here competitively was for the Masters, which obviously has very happy memories for me,” said top seed and world No.3 Hewett, who beat Spain’s Daniel Caverzaschi 6-1 6-2.
“With everything that’s going on right now, it’s a great opportunity that we have to be here and one for which we are all grateful.
“I’ve had a lot of matches this season, having been able to play in Australia
TITLE DECIDER: Antony Cotterill will face Bryan Barten in the quad singles final tomorrow. Far left, James Shaw who was beaten by Barten in their semi-final
and Rotterdam. I think that gives me a bit of an edge over some of these guys who are playing a tournament for the first time in months.”
Hewett will play Dutch seventh seed Ruben Spaargaren for a place in the semi-finals, while second seed Reid will face Japan’s Daisuke Arai.
The men’s and women’s quarterfinals all take place today, with Britain’s Jordanne Whiley facing Rio Paralympic champion Jiske Griffioen in the women’s singles.