In Sunday’s men’s singles final, it was a chance for the World No.1 Shingo Kunieda from Japan, the reigning BNP Paribas French Open champion, to avenge his defeat in the Roland Garros semis earlier this month against Dutchman Maikel Scheffers.
Kunieda was simply in irresistible form as he put in a clinical performance against his opponent, serving faultlessly throughout the first set. The pressure was really on Scheffers as any mistake was punished in brutal style. Effortless movement around the court had the crowd in awe of the Japanese’s work rate, with his willingness to get to each ball, he was simply too good. Kunieda’s backhand is nothing short of magical but with such a variety of other shots in his locker, Scheffers had no response to the power and precision of the Japanese who took the first set 62.
Breaking in the fourth game of the second set, there was no looking back for Shingo Kunieda as his Dutch opponent ran out of ideas. Broken again in the sixth game, Scheffers could only hope that Kunieda’s level would drop dramatically. Mixing up his serves and with an elegance and panache, there would be no let up as Kunieda put in an ace and a sumptuous winning forehand to serve out the match with another ace and retain the men’s singles title with a 62 61 victory in under an hour at the BNP Paribas French Open Super Series.
BNP Paribas French Open Official Website
Draw Sheets
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