Reid pipped by pal Hewett

World No 2 Alfie Hewett became the first British men’s singles champion at the NEC Wheelchair Tennis Masters in Loughborough.

Hewett defeated close friend Gordon Reid, the Scot who denied him Paralympic gold in Rio last summer, in straight sets in yesterday’s final.

The teenager, who celebrates his 20th birthday on Wednesday, followed up his semi-final victory over defending champion Joachim Gerard to see off his doubles partner 6-3, 6-2.

Hewett said: “I feel great. It was a really good performance again today. I wasn’t sure which Alfie would turn up. It was a bit of a struggle at the start of the week and then out of nowhere yesterday I played one of the best matches of my life in the semi-finals.”

However, there was disappointment for fellow Briton Andy Lapthorne in the final of the quad singles as his hopes of ending the year as world No 1 were dashed. He was beaten 6-1, 6-2 by American David Wagner.