SCOTTISH tennis star Gordon Reid came up short in the all-British Wheelchair Tennis Masters final.
Instead it was Alfie Hewett who won in straight sets to become the first British singles player to win the tournament.
Hewett took the first set 6-3, before comfortably taking the second 6-2. In total it took the Englishman one hour and 18 minutes to secure victory at the Loughborough University Tennis Centre.
It was a revenge of sorts for Hewett after he suffered defeat to Reid in last year’s Paralympic final.
Reid was magnanimous in defeat, praising the man he has enjoyed success with as a doubles pairing – together the duo has won two Wimbledon titles, the US Open and a Paralympic silver medal.
“Alfie has had a brilliant week and played some class tennis,” he told BBC Sport.
“I have been part of the journey and watched him from 12 years old to here now, I am proud of what he has done in the sport.”
Hewett, got off to a poor start as Reid raced into a 3-0 lead. However, the 19-year-old soon found his groove, winning the next eight games to take the first set and establish a lead in the second.
It was a lead he didn’t relent, going on to win four of the next six to take the title.
“It was probably one of the best matches I have played,” said Hewett. “Gordon is a great competitor. I am really proud of this win.”
Hewett now moves up to second in the world rankings after also winning the French Open earlier in the year.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here