Paris 2024 Paralympics | Wheelchair Tennis: Top Seeds Dominate in Men’s Singles Open
Impressions on Opening Day from Alfie Hewett, Tokito Oda, Martin De La Puente, and Gustavo Fernandez
The top four ranked wheelchair tennis players in the world showcased their skills on the iconic clay courts of Roland-Garros Stadium, marking the start of the men’s singles wheelchair tennis event at the Paris 2024 Paralympics. As expected, Alfie Hewett (Great Britain), Tokito Oda (Japan), Martin De La Puente (Spain), and Gustavo Fernandez (Argentina) all secured their spots in the last 16, each with a distinctive performance.
Hewett, the Top Seed
Alfie Hewett, the world’s number one player, made a strong debut in his first Paralympic Games. The British player won his opening match convincingly, dropping only one game against Israel’s Sergei Lysov. Hewett expressed his eagerness to finally begin competing after days of just practicing while others played. “He was a player I wasn’t familiar with,” said the 26-year-old, appreciating the good challenge that helped him settle into the tournament.
Oda, the Rising Star
Wheelchair tennis enjoys superstar status in Japan, partly thanks to legends like Shingo Kunieda, a four-time Paralympic gold medalist. Kunieda’s successor, Tokito Oda, is already making waves at just 18 years old. The world number two and two-time French Open singles champion faced a tough opponent in Britain’s Ben Bartram. Despite being pushed to a tie-break in the second set, Oda prevailed 6-2, 7-6(4). “It was great tennis, he played really well,” Oda said after the match.
De La Puente Cruises to Victory
Spain’s Martin De La Puente, ranked third in the world, had an easier time on court 14, defeating Argentina’s Ezequiel Casco with a score of 6-2, 6-0. The Galician player appreciated the court’s atmosphere, noting how close the spectators were, making the experience feel personal. “With my family in the stands, I felt right at home,” said De La Puente, who hopes to advance past the quarter-finals for the first time in his Paralympic career. His next challenge will be against Dutch player Maikel Scheffers.
Fernandez Thrives Despite Home Crowd Advantage
Gustavo Fernandez of Argentina, competing in his fourth Paralympic Games, faced a challenging environment in his match against Frenchman Frédéric Cattaneo, with the local crowd backing the home player. After a dominant first set, Fernandez experienced a brief stumble in the second but ultimately secured a 6-1, 6-4 victory. The former world number one expressed his joy at returning to Paris, stating, “It’s the best place in the world to play tennis.” He praised the supportive crowd and the magnificent setting of Roland-Garros.
These impressive performances by the top seeds have set the stage for an exciting continuation of the wheelchair tennis tournament at the Paris 2024 Paralympics.
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