GORDON Reid became Scotland’s third year-end tennis world No 1 yesterday, joining Andy and Jamie Murray at the top of the rankings.
Reid defeated Stephane Houdet 6-2, 6-1 in the semi-finals of the Wheelchair Masters at London’s Lee Valley Tennis Centre to match the Dunblane brothers’ status at the top of the ATP singles and doubles rankings respectively.
Reid, 25, from Helensburgh, has had a sensational year, winning Grand Slam singles titles at the Australian Open and Wimbledon and doubles titles at the French Open and Wimbledon.
At the Paralympics in Rio, he defeated team-mate Alfie Hewett to take singles gold, after partnering Hewett to a silver medal in the doubles.
Reid arrived at this weekend’s event ranked second just behind Frenchman Houdet, but put in a dominant performance in their head-to-head, having already notched three wins in his group.
Reid will face Joachim Gerard in today’s final, after the Belgian beat Sweden’s Stefan Olsson 7-5, 6-3 in the last four.
Reid said after his win over Houdet: “It has been the best year of my career and to come here in the last tournament of the year and take the No 1 spot off Stephane shows I have earned it. It feels incredible to be world No 1. The final is bonus territory.”
Reid, who had only dropped one set in his round-robin games, raced into a 4-0 lead in the first set and, with Houdet struggling to cope with his power and precision, he quickly wrapped up victory.
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