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Hewett on track for double wheelchair celebration

  • Alex Sharp

There might be a bit of DIY required if British wheelchair tennis stars Alfie Hewett and Gordon Reid keep up their winning ways.

The three-time defending Australian Open doubles champions are back into the final. For Hewett it could be an extra special double this weekend.

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DRAW: Australian Open 2023 men's wheelchair doubles

The newly announced world No.1 needed just 59 minutes to dispatch Takuya Miki to move within one victory of a maiden Melbourne Park singles title.

"That's what I set out to do before the event. I want to come back with both trophies," Hewett said. 

The 25-year-old had to make do with the runner's-up plate at Melbourne Park in 2021 and 2022, a fact that is driving the six-time major winner on this time round.

"I think I'd be lying if I said it wasn't on my mind. It would be good to put it to bed, get that monkey off my back," admitted Hewett. 

"But the past is the past and Saturday will be a completely different match than I've ever experienced. Just really excited for that challenge and hopefully taking home the trophy."

He’ll face teenage prodigy Tokito Oda, after the 16-year-old debutant navigated his way past No.2 seed Gustavo Fernandez over three sets to book his first Grand Slam final.

In the doubles, a 6-4 6-4 scoreline over Daisuke Arai and Takashi Sanada fired reigning champions Hewett and Reid to the brink of a fourth consecutive title. They now face Netherlands pair Maikel Scheffers and Ruben Spaargaren.

"It wasn't the prettiest performance, it was a bit windy out there, swirling around, the other guys made it difficult for us. We're happy to get though in straight sets and [are] looking forward to the final," said Reid.

"I was coming back from a [left wrist] injury last year, slowly building up physically to go well here. It's been a long journey back after a tough 2022, so I'm happy how I've started."

Just like millions around the world, Hewett and Reid were glued to the late-night early-morning heroics of Andy Murray in the earlier rounds.

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"You should never be surprised by what Andy Murray is capable of. Even then, what he managed to do last week was incredible," said fellow Scot Reid. 

"It just sums him up as a person, an athlete, he's so resilient, just never gives up and he's such an inspiration for us all."

Boosted by a bit of Murray motivation, Hewett and Reid might have to get the toolbox out when they arrive home.

"I've got a little Grand Slam shelf at home, it's just for the winners ones. It's starting to get a little full, so hopefully I need a new one," said Hewett.

And what about Reid? "I'm the same. I don’t think there's much space left, but I'm sure we can squeeze another Australian Open on."

Diede de Groot (Getty Images)

In the women's singles Diede de Groot's domination continued. The Dutchwoman, who chalked up calendar Grand Slams in 2021 and 2022, blazed into a fifth Australian Open singles final with an emphatic 6-0 6-0 scoreline over Manami Tanaka.

It will be a repeat of the 2021 singles final, as No.2 seed Yui Kamiji had all the answers for Jiske Griffioen, going through 6-2 6-1.

READ: De Groot finds motivation in Kunieda's "crazy" career

Quad world No.1 Niels Vink remains on course for a maiden Australian Open trophy, taking out South Africa's Donald Ramphadi.

Vink will meet his compatriot Sam Schroder. Defending champion Schroder, conqueror of Dylan Alcott in the final last January, returned to the silverware showdown with victory over American veteran David Wagner.