Thu. Sep 19th, 2024
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Britain’s Alfie Hewett continued his quest for an elusive Wimbledon men’s wheelchair singles title, despite being hampered by a shoulder injury as he reached the semi-finals.

Second seed Hewett outplayed Frenchman Stephane Houdet to win 6-1 6-4 on a sweltering court three.

But he did need a medical timeout at 4-1 in the first set to treat his already heavily strapped shoulder, and had repeated problems with his first serve.

The 26-year-old has also advanced to the semi-finals in the men’s wheelchair doubles alongside fellow Briton Gordon Reid.

Hewett has won eight Grand Slam singles titles and has won every major across singles and doubles – except the Wimbledon singles title.

He was broken in the opening game by 53-year-old Houdet, a three-time doubles winner at Wimbledon.

But the 26-year-old won the next six games to take the first set despite being restricted by his injury.

In a much tighter second set the pair twice traded breaks before Houdet was broken at 4-4 and Hewett was able to serve out for the match.

Hewett faces either Argentine third seed and 2019 champion Gustavo Fernandezin the semi-finals.

In the doubles, Hewett and compatriot Reid, who have won 19 major titles together, were 6-1 7-5 winners against Spain’s Martin de la Puente and Joachim Gerard of Belgium.

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