05 September 2011
Peter Norfolk clinched the sixth US Open USTA Wheelchair Tennis Championships quad singles title of his career on Sunday in St. Louis before pairing up with fellow Briton Andrew Lapthorne to add the quad doubles title at the final Super Series tournament of 2011.
World No. 1 Norfolk clinched back-to-back singles titles at the prestigious event after a comprehensive 6-3, 6-1 victory over world No. 2 David Wagner, having edged the American in three sets in the 2010 final
Norfolk's victory brought him his 21st major quad singles title at either Super Series or Grand Slam tournaments and leaves the Briton in good heart as he heads to the final Grand Slam of the year and attempts to regain the US Open title in New York that he lost to Wagner in 2010. Norfolk begins his challenge in New York on Thursday with the first of three matches in the round-robin phase of the competition
Sunday's British success in St. Louis continued in the quad doubles final as Lapthorne and Norfolk secured their first Super Series doubles title together, having won their first Grand Slam title as a partnership at January's Australian Open.
The British second seeds defeated the American pairing of Nick Taylor and Wagner 6-4, 6-3 to avenge a three sets loss to the top seeds and defending champions in last year's semi-finals. In doing so they gained their sixth victory in eight career contests against reigning Paralympic champions.
"It's been another tough week that's ended splendidly with two very good wins. I'm delighted to win my sixth US Open Super Series title in preparation for the final Grand Slam of the year in New York," said Norfolk. "With just a year to go to London 2012, I'm particularly happy to have partnered Andy to another big victory and our first Super Series title together after some great competition."
"Today was a great win for me and Peter to end the week on a high and I hope I have helped Pete to push through and go on to win next week at the Grand Slam," said a delighted Lapthorne, who was winning the second Super Series doubles title of his career.
Lapthorne and Norfolk's quad doubles final was held over from Saturday evening, when rain in St. Louis caused the postponement of all the scheduled doubles finals. The bad weather continued into Sunday morning, but once play finally got underway Marc McCarroll also ended his week on a high as the British No. 3 beat Argentina's Augustin Ledesma 6-4, 6-3 in the men's main draw consolation singles final.