Rob Shaw competes in the wheelchair tennis at the 2019 ParaPan American Games in Lima
The Birmingham Canadian Wheelchair Tennis Classic—the nation’s largest ITF wheelchair tennis tournament—was held last week at Sobeys Stadium, which also hosts Rogers Cup presented by National Bank.
A number of Canadians were in action, including Rob Shaw (2), who was out to avenge his loss in last year’s final. The newly crowned gold medallist at the 2019 Parapan American Games fought his way to the ultimate showdown with wins over Nicholas Taylor of the US and Ymanitu Silva of Brazil.
On the last day, Shaw faced a tough opponent in Heath Davidson (1) of Australia but was able to stay ahead and claim the title in three sets (6-2, 2-6, 7-5).
Success for Japan, the Netherlands and Great Britain
Aces from Japan, the Netherlands and Great Britain conquered the other events.
Takashi Sanada (2) of Japan won the singles competition. Taking full advantage of Scheffers’ (1) first-round loss, he met up with Daniel Rodrigues (3) in the final. Sanada dropped the first set but battled back to overpower his opponent and raise the trophy (5-7, 6-4, 6-3).
In doubles, the top team of Scheffers and Spaargaren of the Netherlands defeated Sanada and Weekes (6-3, 6-2) for the title.
On the women’s side, Jordanne Whiley (1) of Great Britain vanquished fellow Brit Lucy Shuker for the crown. After breezing through the earlier rounds, Whiley had to dig deep in her final confrontation (3-6, 6-2, 6-2).
Whiley also won the women’s doubles title with Manami Tanaka.