2011 Australian Open, Esther Vergeer continues winning streak
Legend on wheels, Esther Vergeer, won the women’s wheelchair singles final at Melbourne Park on Day 13, clinching her eighth Australian Open title, and her seventeenth Grand Slam title.
Handicapped from the waist down, Dutch favourite, Vergeer, has enjoyed the longest winning streak of singles wins than any able bodied player.
Beating the statistical marvels of Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Serena Williams and Justine Henin, Vergeer has remained unbeaten since 2003 standing on a four hundred plus wins. Adding to that, Vergeer, has won the end of the year, Wheelchair Tennis Masters
for the past thirteen years.
Not having participated last year, Vergeer came into her eighth Australian Open this week pitted against compatriot, Sharon Walraven. Not giving it more than forty minutes, Vergeer dismissed her compatriot in straight sets without a single game loss.
Coming into the semi-final, Vergeer played another compatriot, Jiske Griffioen. Simply extending her winning streak, Vergeer was able to do away with Griffioen in straight sets losing only four games in the process.
Her final clash at the event was against second seed and local, Daniela Di Toro. Although Di Toro enjoyed local support, it wasn’t enough to upset the reigning champion on wheels. Losing only eight points on service, Vergeer, was able to do away with the
local in straight sets without losing a single game. What could be better in a final than twin bagel set wins.
Winning the match, Vergeer said, "Today I couldn't do anything wrong. It was one of the best feelings I've ever had on the court”.
Joining Vergeer as the men’s wheelchair single champion was top seeded Japanese, Shingo Kunieda.
Coming into Melbourne Park, Kunieda, coupled a bagel set win with a breadstick win to do away with Dutch Ronald Vink in the quarterfinals. Meeting Vink’s compatriot, Robin Ammerlaan, Kunieda was able to secure a twin set score victory of 6-4, 6-4 before
moving into the final to play second seeded French player and his doubles partner, Stephane Houdet.
Serving a single ace and losing 17 of 40 points on service, Kunieda was able to secure a bagel set win in the first set before wrapping up his straight sets victory with a 6-3 in the second. Kunieda won the trophy for the fifth straight year.
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