WORLD number eight Lucy Shuker progressed to the semi-finals of the women's wheelchair singles at the Australian Open by defeating Dutchwoman Marjolein Buis in straight sets.
Shuker, from Ashbrittle near Taunton, saw off world number four Buis – her partner for the women's doubles – 6-2 6-3 to make the last four in Melbourne, where she will play number two seed Yui Kamiji of Japan tomorrow, for a place in the final.
Shuker came from 2-0 down in the second set to win six of the last seven games.
Crucially she had a win percentage on her first serve of 68 per cent (to Buis' 43 per cent), and she took six of her nine break points (Buis won three of eight).
She said afterwards: "I’m very happy with how I played today.
"I felt I executed my game plan really well and it’s great to get a win over the world No.4 in the first Grand Slam of the year.
"I’m looking forward to my semi against Kamiji and then playing the doubles too."
Super happy to make the @AustralianOpen Semi Finals for only the 2nd time! Big win to beat the World No.4 💪🏼🇬🇧 https://t.co/Kz6vt6Awrn
— Lucy Shuker (@lucy_shuker) January 25, 2017
In the women's doubles, Shuker and Buis face Jiske Griffioen and Aniek van Koot (the top seeds, both of the Netherlands) in the semi-finals - the match taking place later on Thursday.
Ahead of Melbourne Shuker reached successive singles quarter-finals, with close results against Kamiji and world number six Diede de Groot.
Shuker said: “I feel like I've been playing some pretty good tennis out here in Australia.
"I pushed Diede in Sydney, going to a final set tie-break, and had chances in the match against Yui in Melbourne, so I’m looking forward to the Open.
“The last time I played here with Marjolein in the doubles we made the final [in 2013], so I’m looking forward to playing together again after facing each other on Wednesday.”
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