With the last three titles already in his name, Aussie quad wheelchair tennis hero Dylan Alcott has continued his ownership of the Australian Open, brushing aside second seed Andy Lapthorne of Great Britain on Wednesday for the loss of just one game, 6-1 6-0.
In front of a sizeable crowd on Court 8 that at times during the match needed to be reined in, Alcott delivered in just 50 minutes, hitting four aces and making less half the unforced errors of his opponent.
“It was exciting, there’s a lot more exposure now,” he said. “Did you see the crowd? That’s a sign wheelchair tennis is going in the right direction.”
Unseeded due to his limited playing scheduled these days, Alcott, 27, was particularly pleased with his form in the opening round, but was circumspect when looking too far ahead – and a possible final inside Rod Laver Arena on a public holiday weekend.
“I played awesome, I cannot play any better than that,” Alcott said. “I served well, didn’t serve a double-fault, I was just really happy. One game at a time, but if I play like that, I will be in good shape. (That final) would be tasty.”
Elsewhere in quad wheelchair action, top-seeded American veteran David Wagner accounted for Alcott’s Aussie mate and doubles partner Heath Davidson, a wildcard entrant, winning 6-3 6-2.
In the men’s wheelchair event, top seed and 2017 winner Gustavo Fernandez of Argentina was bundled out in three sets by Nicolas Peifer, reversing the result of last year’s final. Peifer will now meet fellow Frenchman Stephane Houdet in a semifinal after he defeated local Adam Kellerman 6-2 6-0.
In a disappointing day for the Brits, the remaining semifinal will feature Japan’s Shingo Kunieda and Stefan Olsson of Sweden, respective winners over Gordon Reid and second seed Alfie Hewett.
Japan’s Yui Kamiji, the top seed in the women’s event, had no trouble winning her quarterfinal against Dutchwomen Marjolein Buis, and will now face Sabine Ellerbrock for a place in the final after the German recovered from a one-set deficit to edge out yet another Brit, Lucy Shuker, 2-6 7-6(6) 7-6(4).
Diede De Groot, the second seed, was successful against German wildcard Katharina Kruger and now finds herself up against countrywomen Aniek Van Koot, who defeated South African Kgothatso Montjane.