Gordon Reid defends French Open doubles title after singles loss

GORDON Reid's winning grand slam run came to an end with defeat by Gustavo Fernandez in the men's wheelchair final at the French Open.

Consolation for Gordon Reid and Shingo Kunieda as they pose with their Men's Wheelchair doubles trophies. Picture: Getty Images

The Scot won his maiden slam title at the Australian Open in January, a run that included victory over speedy Argentinian Fernandez.

Reid, 24, reached the final by knocking out world number one Stephane Houdet but could not capitalise on a good start against Fernandez and lost 7-6 (7-4) 6-1.

Reid led 4-2 but was outplayed thereafter as 22-year-old Fernandez clinched his first grand slam title.

Reid was disappointed with his performance, saying: “It was a really tight first set. Just a few points in it. I didn’t serve very well today again and that put me under pressure a lot.

“He was hitting his backhand very well and I was struggling to keep it out of that zone. It wasn’t good enough today and the better player deserved to win.”

But the 24-year-old, who is considering changing flights so he can stay to watch Andy Murray’s final on Sunday, was pleased to have backed up his breakthrough result in Australia.

“Melbourne was my first final in singles and to come here and to do it again straight away is good consistency and good confidence to take forward,” he said.

“The more matches I can play like this in front of good crowds supporting wheelchair tennis and in these pressure situations, it’s going to help me the next time I’m there.”

Reid will now turn his attention to preparing for Wimbledon, which will stage wheelchair singles tournaments for the first time.

He said: “Grass probably suits my game a little bit better so I’m looking forward to the challenge.

“I’ve played five times in the doubles event now and I love playing there. Obviously being on home soil it’s going to be extra special for us British players so I’m really looking forward to it and, once I get over the disappointment of this, all my training is going to be building towards Wimbledon.”

There was a significant consolation for Reid, though, as he and Japanese partner Shingo Kunieda successfully defended their doubles title with a 6-3 6-2 victory over Michael Jeremiasz of France and Swede Stefan Olsson.

Meanwhile, Britain’s Jordanne Whiley won her seventh slam doubles title alongside Kuneida’s compatriot Yui Kamiji.

The pair, who won the calendar Grand Slam in 2014, defeated top seeds Jiske Griffioen and Aniek Van Koot of Holland 6-3 4-6 10-6.

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