Britain's Andy Lapthorne and Peter Norfolk win at Australian Open
By David Gold
January 26 - Andy Lapthorne and Peter Norfolk have retained the Australian Open quad doubles wheelchair tennis title at Melbourne Park after a 6-4, 6-2 win over Noam Gershony and David Wagner.They enjoyed a good start having broken the Israeli/American partnership early on but were pegged back to 2-2 before three consecutive games helped them to secure a simple first set victory.
In the second set the British pair took a 5-1 lead and there was no way back for Gershony and Wagner despite holding serve one more time.
Lapthorne said: "I'm feeling ecstatic about winning my second Grand Slam title.
"I have a new first this year, retaining a title, so I'm also happy about that.
"Me and Pete played very well as a team today, he gave me the right words of encouragement at the right time.
"It was a fabulous result today, for me coming back from my injury I have had a long hard day and have not only come through pain free, but with two wins."
Norfolk added: "It was tough in patches but as a team we talked well.
"Now it's time for some rest and a massage then preparation for another big day tomorrow."
It was the second victory of the day for Norfolk, who had won his singles game with Gershony 6-3, 6-0.
Lapthorne, by contrast, succumbed to a straight sets defeat against Wagner, 6-0, 7-6.
Norfolk now meets Wagner in the final set of round robin games, with Lapthorne facing Gershony.
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