GB Claim Gold at World Team Cup
31st May 2014Great Britain claimed gold for the fourth time in the quad event at the BNP Paribas World Team Cup as they defeated the USA 2-1 in today’s final in Alphen, the Netherlands.
The team, made up of world No.3 Andy Lapthorne, No.5 Jamie Burdekin and No.8 Antony Cotterill, were taken all the way by the defending champions the USA.
Beijing Paralympic medallist Burdekin gave the team a winning start, getting the better of world No.9 Nick Taylor 6-0, 6-1 but when Lapthorne renewed his old rivalry with David Wagner, the world No.1 came out on top 6-1, 6-0.
That took the tie into a deciding doubles match where Burdekin and Lapthorne made a fantastic start against Wagner and Taylor, taking the first set 6-1. But the Americans showed their strength to come back and clinch the second 6-2 to force a match tie-break. After a tense affair and some crucial aces from the duo, the Brits came through 6-1, 2-6, (10-7).
Lapthorne said, “It’s fantastic to win the title again and before we’ve won it with Peter Norfolk in our team but it’s great to see we can still do it now he has retired with our current team.
“It was a real team effort this week and we’ve all played our part and played some fantastic tennis. It’s always an honour to represent your country and my success this week has been helped by the amazing support we get from the Tennis Foundation and UK Sport through our National Lottery funding.”
Burdekin added, “It was always going to be a tough match against the USA as everyone knows they are the best in the world, winning three Paralympic gold medals, so to win against them really was extra special.”
And the success continued for Great Britain as the women’s team have reached the final for a second year running after they made quick work of their semi-final against Germany, winning 2-0.
World No.10 Lucy Shuker gave the team a 1-0 lead, defeating Bianca Osterer 6-2, 6-1 before Jordanne Whiley put the tie beyond doubt with a 6-0, 6-2 victory over Katharina Kruger.
Whiley, who is currently at a career-high ranking of world No.5, said, “We’ve been playing some good tennis this week and have coped well with the rain delays to stay focused and do what we needed to do.
“After winning the silver last year, we really want to get our hands on that gold medal and will be giving everything we can to overcome the Dutch and their home support.”
The Brits will face the Netherlands in the final after the host nation came through their semi-final 3-0 against Japan.
Finally, GB’s men’s team will play Japan for the bronze medal tomorrow after they were edged out 2-1 by the Dutch team in their semi-final today.