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Hewett lifts US Open title

Hewett produced an exemplary performance to then go onto win his first US Open men’s singles title and his second career Grand Slam singles title on Sunday in New York, defeating world number one Shingo Kunieda of Japan 6-3, 7-5.  

Alifie Hewett lifting 2018 US open trophy

Exactly a week on from world number two Hewett beating Kunieda in the final of the US Open USTA Wheelchair Championships to win the last Super Series title of the year, Hewett bounced back from 2-0 down to take the opening set.

After a tentative start he visibly increased his intensity and hit a succession of impressive winners to reel off four games in succession and another forehand winner saw Hewett convert his second set point.

Hewett swapped service breaks with 22-time Grand Slam singles champion and six-time US Open champion Kunieda early in the second set and had chalked up in excess of 40 winners midway through the set. The 20-year-old Brit held to open up a 5-3 lead and had his first championship point in the next game. After breaking Kunieda’s serve to love for a 6-5 lead Hewett served for the match for a second time and set up another championship point with a backhand winner. Kunieda fired his next service return long to complete a famous victory for the British number one after an hour and 55 minutes.

In the wake of his second Grand Slam singles title, Hewett said:

“I worked hard in my training up to this, so to get the rewards is a great a feeling. Shingo played a great match and he gave me nothing out on court. He worked me hard for every point and I had to earn that victory; that shows what a true competitor he is. I'm looking forward to celebrating and enjoying this achievement and will take a break when I get back,” added Hewett, who reached his first US Open singles final in 2017 before finishing runner-up to Frenchman Stephane Houdet."

The 20-year-old also won the doubles event with fellow Brit Gordon Reid on Saturday. Great Britain's Andy Lapthorne claimed the quad doubles title with USA's David Wagner. 

“It’s great to win my eighth Slam and retain the title and it’s a good way to end the week. I really enjoyed playing doubles again with David this trip and I look forward to trying to defend the title again next year,” said Lapthorne. 

Photography credit: Tennis Foundation