Wheelchair Tennis

Wheelchair Tennis:

Wheelchair Tennis Draw Sheets - Final standings:

Mens Singles Draw
Mens Doubles Draw

Womens Singles Draw
Womens Doubles Draw

All Results, game by game.

Wheelchair Tennis Round Up:

Sunday: Mens Singles Final between Robin Ammerlaan and David Hall. Victory went to Holland's Robin Ammerlaan 6/2, 6/1, in a flawless display in which he dominated throughout.

Australia's David Hall, had to make do with a silver medal to go with his gold from Sydney.

Womens Doubles Final was won Sunday by the Dutch pair of Esther Vergeer and Maaike Smit, beating the unseeded pair from Thailand KHANTHASIT and TECHAMANEEWAT in straight sets 6/0, 6/4. Giving Vergeer her second Athens Gold medal.

It was a clean sweep for Dutch Tennis, maintaining their world status at the top of this wheelchair sport. Tennis Associations around the world will be looking closely to see what the Dutch do that creates so much success.

It is not just the Gold medal which marks the Dutch out as world beaters - they have a depth of talent at all levels in wheelchair tennis

Saturday: The Womens Singles Final Gold medal was won in 45 minutes 6/2, 6/0 by reigning Paralympic champion Esther Vergeer. A convincing display of power tennis which fellow Dutch lady Sonja Peters was unable to combat.

In the Mens Singles match for third place Jeremiasz of France outplayed American Welch to grab the bronze medal in straight sets 6/2, 6/4.

Mens Doubles Final was eventually started and an hour 13 minutes later the gold was going to Japan. The Saida/Kunieda partnership easily dealt with Frenchmen Jeremiasz/Majdi - 6/1, 6/2.

Jeremiasz was playing two medal matches back-to-back which may have shaved a slight advantage to the Japanese. But I think the Japanese had the edge anyway.

Friday: A thrilling three set match saw Ammerlaan just get the better of nº4 seed American Steve Welch, setting up a terrific final on Sunday against current Paralympic champion David Hall. Hall had less trouble in his semi final match against Micahel Jeremiasz of France winning in straight sets 1, and 1.

Sunday's Men's Singles Final could go either way and promises to be well worth watching.

Also today the Womens Singles bronze medal was decided in a 3 set showdown between Australia's Daniela Di Toro and Florence Gravellier of France. On the day the Australian held her game together to power to victory in the third set.

In Mens Doubles the Japanese pair are through to the final in a rugged display which sent Hall and Bonaccurso reeling out of the tournament.

The Quad singles was decided with the gold going to pre-tournament favorite Peter Norfolk of GB, with David Wagner of the USA unable to match Norfolk's firepower.

Thursday: In a thrilling Mens Singles match Saida almost eliminated the Nº1 seed Ammerlaan, but despite being 6-5 up in the third set Saida let the Dutchman get back to a tie break and go on to win.

Classic, exciting tennis seen by a huge crowd on centre court. Ammerlaan now plays Welch in the semis. Welch got through comfortably against Martin Legner 6-2,6-3.

David Hall needed 3 sets to overcome Japans Shingo Kunieda and set up a semi final clash with Frenchman Michael Jeremiasz. So all four Mens seeds are in the semis.

Womens Singles Semis Daniela Di Toro goes out in a marathon, 2hours 15 minutes, 3 set match to the number 3 seed Sonja Peters; 7-5,4-6,6-3. This sets up an all Dutch final with Esther Vergeer. The Nº1 seed had little trouble with Florence Gravellier of France, comfortably winning 6-3,6-1.

In Mens Doubles Hatt and Mistry were unable to match the fire power of the Japanese pair Saida and Kunieda losing 1/1.

Wednesday: Still no surprises in the Mens draw, the possible upset of Saida by Mistry did not materialise. The number 6 seed from Japan went through 6-2, 6-1 and faces World Nº1 Ammerlaan in the Quarter Finals. Ammerlaan dropped his first game of the whole tournament, but was not troubled by Frenchman Madji.

Mistry has an opportunity for revenge against Saida in the Mens Doubles. Mistry and partner Simon Hatt easily overcame the Brazilian pair of Pomme/Santos 6-2, 6-2.

In the Womens draw the top four seeds all got through to the semi finals, but not without some trouble. GB's Forshaw took Di Toro to a tie-break in the first set, Di Toro eventually won 7-6(1), 6-0. Nº 3 seed Sonja Peters scraped past a first set tie-break against Britta Siegers, winning 7-6(6), 6-3.

Tuesday: Latest wheelchair tennis matches bring few surprises. All mens top wheelchair tennis seeds through to the next round. Jayant Mistry had a nervous start against Herbert Baumgartner of Austria, but the GB number 9 seed went on to win in 3 sets.

In the Womens Singles Draw the second top Dutch player crashed out early - Maaike Smit at the hands of Kay Forshaw of GB in 3 sets. Forshaw will now play the Nº2 seed Daniela Di Toro of Australia, who had an easy 6-1, 6-3 win over Canada's Yuka Chokyu.

Preview
Australia's David Hall clinched the Mens singles in Sydney and is currently favourite to repeat that feat in Athens. Though the 34 year old will be facing a strong challenge from Dutchman Robin Ammerlaan.

Nobody is writing off Satoshi Saida from Japan, who on recent form is capable of upsetting Dutch and Australian medal hopes.

One of the most popular sports at the paralympics is the Men's Tennis - a skilful, athletic display of chair and ball control is guaranteed from the world's finest players.

Played on 'hard court' surface in Athens to standard ITF tennis rules with the only difference being the 2-bounce-rule. Players are not subject to a disability classification system in tennis (apart from a seperate quad division) the only criteria is a minimum disability.

Men's Singles - 64 player Draw.

Women's Singles -32 player Draw.

Quad division is Mixed singles and doubles.

The format is best of 3 sets with tie-break (including deciding set) in both Singles and Doubles. Line judges and umpire for each match.

The final list of 112 competitors was decided by ITF World Ranking positions as of April 12th for 75% of players with the other 25% on a wild card basis with country quota restrictions applying.

Also:
To find out about Tennis Chairs

News Items :
Ozzies see Orange in Florida 12.04.04

Athlete Profiles :
Jayant Mistry GB
Sonja Peters Netherlands

International Tennis Federation