Lapthorne eyes ninth Australian Open title after epic quad doubles semi-final fightback

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Maidenhead’s Andy Lapthorne is through to his third successive quad doubles final at the Australian Open in Melbourne after he and Heath Davidson (AUS) won an epic clash against Donald Ramphadi and Jin Woodman.

This was a wheelchair tennis semi-final that went the distance with Lapthorne and Davidson fighting back for a 4-6, 7-6(8), 10-6 victory.

They will now meet top seeds Guy Sasson and Neils Vink for a shot at the title. Victory would give the experienced Lapthorne his ninth Australian Open title, however, he and Davidson may have to overcome some demons to achieve that having lost to the same opponents in the final of the Melbourne Open just last week.

Lapthorne and Davidson are second seeds in the quad doubles and progressed to the semi-finals with a 7-6(1), 6-4 victory against Francisco Cayulef and Gonzalo Enrique Lazarte.

Greg Slade and Benjamin Wenzel lost to Robert Shaw and Ymanitu Silva 6-3, 1-6, 10-5 in the quarterfinals.

The quad draw proved more challenging for Lapthorne and his compatriot Greg Slade in the Australian Open singles competition.

Both were beaten in the first round with Lapthorne losing a close match to fourth seed Ahmet Kaplan 6-4, 7-5.

Slade was beaten 6-1, 6-3 by Brazilian qualifier Leandro Pena.

It’s been a busy start to the year for Lapthorne as he’s also competed at the Adelaide International and Melbourne Open events.

British hopes in the quad doubles were ended in the final after defeat for Lapthorne and Davidson against top seeds Guy Sasson (ISR) & Niels Vink 6-3, 6-0.

Lapthorne also reached the quad singles quarter finals at the Melbourne Open, losing to world no.3 Guy Sasson.