Norfolk ace Alfie Hewett fights back to reach 2017 Wimbledon wheelchair singles semi-finals
Alfie Hewett in action during his Wimbledon wheelchair singles quarter-final win against Nicolas Peifer. Picture: Steven Paston/PA Wire - Credit: PA
Alfie Hewett has roared into the men's wheelchair singles semi-finals at Wimbledon, coming back from a set down to beat Nicolas Peifer 4-6 6-2 6-2.
It was a first singles win on the famous courts of the All England Club for Norfolk's wheelchair tennis star, with the wheelchair singles held at SW19 for the first time last year, when he lost in the quarter-finals.
Hewett lost the first set 6-4 though, with his opponent in inspired form and showing why he is ranked one place higher than the 19-year-old, at fifth in the men's world wheelchair singles rankings.
However, the Cantley youngster roared back and claimed the second set 6-2 in impressive style, winning 80 per cent of points on his first serve to send the quarter-final to a decider.
The former City College Norwich student kept his concentration in the third set to remain on top and take the third set 6-2 in dominant fashion.
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He will face either Gustavo Fernandez or Stephane Houdet, ranked first and third in the world respectively, in the semi-finals tomorrow, with Fernandez looking to avenge his defeat to Hewett in the French Open singles final last month – the former Acle High School pupil's first singles grand slam title of his young career.
Hewett is also set to be in action in the doubles tomorrow, alongside Gordon Reid, taking on Gustavo Fernandez of Argentina in the semi-finals.
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Victory in the doubles is likely to tee up yet another clash with French duo Houdet and Peifer, who they beat in last year's Wimbledon final.
However, their rivals have exacted revenge for that defeat with no less than seven wins in eight matches against Hewett and Reid since then – including the Paralympic and French Open finals.
Reid is likely to be fired up for that doubles campaign after seeing his defence of the singles crown end in the quarter-finals earlier today, the British number one and top seed surprisingly losing 6-2 6-3 to Stefan Olsson of Sweden.
