Whiley and Lapthorne lose Australian Open titles

Jordanne Whiley and Andy Lapthorne both lost their Australian Open doubles crowns in Melbourne on Thursday.

Ickenham-based Whiley had won the title in 2014 and 2015 with Yui Kamiji but could not defend it alongside fellow Brit Lucy Shuker.

They were beaten in the semi-finals by Dutch top seeds Jiske Griffioen and Aniek van Koot 6-7 (5-7) 6-4, 3-6.

Whiley and Shuker had secured early breaks in the second and third sets but the London 2012 bronze medallists could not maintain their momentum in the decider.

Whiley, who was beaten in the singles on Wednesday, said she was “gutted” to be going home so early.

She said: “I gave it everything I had out there but it was just not to be.

“There are a lot of positives that we can take from this match and after a long three weeks, I am looking forward to getting back home and working hard with my team.”

Eastcote’s Lapthorne was aiming for a fifth Australian Open doubles title, having previously won in 2011, 2012, 2014 and 2015, but he and Australian Dylan Alcott lost 3-6, 1-6 to Lucas Sithole and David Wagner.

World number four Lapthorne is also on the verge of elimination from the singles after losing his second round-robin match against Sithole, 6-2, 1-6, 0-6.

He must now beat American world number two Wagner in straight sets and hope Alcott beats Sithole to progress to the final.