Whiley targets Rio after British Open title

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Ickenham-based Jordanne Whiley says she hopes her victory in the British Open Wheelchair Tennis Championships on Saturday could pave the way to Olympic gold.

World number six Whiley beat Dutchwoman Aniek van Koot to win her first singles title in the Super Series, the tier of tournaments below the Grand Slams.

A week after retaining her Wimbledon doubles title, 23-year-old Whiley bounced back from losing the opening set against Van Koot to win 4-6, 6-3, 6-4.

Afterwards, Whiley – who has six Grand Slam doubles titles to her name – said she hoped this breakthrough in singles would put her among the favourites at the 2016 Olympics.

She said: “I’m used to just being a quarter or semi-finalist at Super Series events like this and now I’ve just won the tournament.

“I hope I proved to myself and other players that I’m a contender for the singles and leading up to Rio next year a contender for gold as well.”

Meanwhile, Andy Lapthorne, from Eastcote, suffered disappointment in the quad singles final, losing to world number four Lucas Sithole 4-6, 6-3, 6-4.

But he did qualify for Sunday’s doubles final as he and Jamie Burdekin beat Japan’s Shota Kawano and Mitsuteru Moroishi 7-5, 6-2.

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