Israel’s wheelchair tennis team suffer GB final loss

Israel’s hopes of winning a fifth quad wheelchair tennis World Team Cup were ended on Sunday, after they were beaten 2-1 by Great Britain.

The Israelis won the first set, when Noam Gershony beat James Shaw 6-1, 6-2. However, Andy Lapthorne’s 6-3, 6-1 win over over Shraga Weinberg took the match to a third and decisive doubles match, which saw the pair lose to Lapthorne and Antony Cotterill 6-3, 6-0.

Looking to win the event for the first time since 2012, Gershony, who won gold at the 2012 Paralympics won all his five singles matches at the tournament in straight sets, losing just 16 games in all.

Coach Marin Gilbert said: “We had an excellent championship and the players gave their all and played as a team.

“Shraga played well in the doubles and of course Noam was excellent, winning all his singles matches. We didn’t get to hear Hatikvah after the final, but it was played beforehand and this was a magical championship.”