World no.1 Alfie Hewett to play world no.2 Tokito Oda in French open singles final

Alfie Hewett will bid for his fourth French Open title and his eighth men’s Grand Slam singles titles on Saturday after producing one of his best career performances to beat Argentina’s world No.3 Gustavo Fernandez 6-2, 6-2 on Thursday at Roland Garros.

World No.1 Hewett will now play Japanese world No.2 Tokito Oda in Saturday’s final in Paris in a contest that will not only decide this year’s French Open title but also decide which of the two players goes into next week’s French Riviera Open Super Series tournament as world No.1.

Hewett took an early 2- 1 lead against Fernandez as he secured the first service hold of the match to love and three games later he broke the Argentinian serve to love on his way to wrapping up the opening set. The British No.1 celebrated a backhand down the line winner that saw him break Fernandez to love for the second time for a 3-1 second set lead and he soon wrapped up his fourth win in six meetings against the Argentinian in Paris. Hewett said:

“It feels good, because it's another Grand Slam final and I used last year's match (a 6-1, 6-1 semi-final loss to Fernandez) as motivation. I’m really happy because Gustavo is a very tough competitor on clay and has proven himself more than once. I just had a quick word with my coach. He said that we've been working together for four years now and it's probably up there with one of my best performances, with the scale of the situation and the occasion and last year’s history here. So, there’s one more match to go and I can now focus on that, but I can take a lot of confidence away from today.”

Hewett will now play Oda in a Grand Slam final for the second time this year, having beaten the 17-year-old 6-3, 6-1 in the Australian Open decider. He added.

“There'll be a lot on the line. There's going to be a lot to play for and that's exciting. There's not many times in the year that you get to play for a number one spot and also a Grand Slam title in the same match.”

A mixed day for players supported by the LTA’s Wheelchair Performance Pathway also saw Lucy Shuker partner the USA’s Dana Mathewson in their second Roland Garros doubles quarter-final. However, having reached the last four of the Australian Open Shuker and Matthewson were unable to earn a repeat in Paris, losing out to French duo Pauline Deroulede and Emmanuelle Morch 4-6, 6-4, (10-5).

For further news and French Open updates, head to lta.org.uk or keep up to date with all the action on Twitter @the_LTA or @WChairTennisGB.

To find out more about the LTA’s work with disability tennis, head to www.lta.org.uk/play or email disabilitytennis@lta.org.uk.