Alfie Hewett’s Australian Open men’s wheelchair singles title defence came to an end after a straight-sets defeat against Spain’s Martin de la Puente in the semi-finals. De la Puente dominates crucial moments as the top seed lost 6-4 6-4 in one hour and 27 minutes.
Hewett, a 10-time Grand Slam singles champion, struggled to convert key opportunities as the third seed maintained consistent pressure throughout the match. The 28-year-old had entered the tournament as one of the favourites to retain his crown in Melbourne.
Double disappointment for British pair as Hewett had already suffered a setback in the men’s doubles event. Alongside Gordon Reid, he lost in a match tie-break to Tokito Oda and Gustavo Fernandez, ending their hopes of a seventh successive title.
De la Puente will now face second seed and defending champion Tokito Oda in the final, where the Spaniard will aim to lift his first Australian Open wheelchair singles trophy.
Lapthorne misses out in doubles final after Great Britain’s Andy Lapthorne also failed to defend his quad doubles title. Partnering Heath Davidson, he was beaten 6-3 6-1 by top seeds Guy Sasson and Niels Vink.
Despite the defeat, Lapthorne remains one of the most successful players in wheelchair tennis, with 16 Grand Slam doubles titles and two singles crowns to his name.
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