LUCY Shuker helped Great Britain's women's team to the bronze medal at the BNP Paribas World Team Cup in Israel last week.

The competition, which is the wheelchair tennis equivalent of the Davis and Fed Cup, featured teams from 23 counties taking part in the finals in Ramat Hasharon.

British number one Shuker, who trained at Taunton Tennis Centre at Blackbrook, helped GB women beat China and France in the group stages, setting up a semi-final with Japan.

The Japanese team proved too strong, but GB – comprising Shuker, Louise Hunt, Cornelia Oosthuizen and Jordanne Whiley – picked themselves up for the bronze medal match with South Africa.

Whiley defeated Mariska Venter 6-4 6-1 in the opening singles match, and Shuker sealed bronze with victory against Kgothatso Montjane.

South African Montjane won the first set 6-4, only for Shuker to storm back and claim the second 6-1, before Montjane retired injured in the deciding set.

Shuker told the LTA afterwards: "I think the team did really well this week, on court and off court.

"I was disappointed with the result against Japan [in the semi-final], but today we got to go again for bronze.

"Jordy [Whiley] had a good win, and then I had a close first set and played a really good second set.

"Unfortunately she [Montjane] had to retire, but I wish her well and hope she recovers.”

The men's team of Dermot Bailey, Alfie Hewett and Gordon Reid became world champions in their event, while the juniors won silver.

Those results make it Britain’s best ever performance at a World Team Cup in the event’s 35-year history.

The second Grand Slam of the season is fast approaching, with wheelchair tennis players competing at Roland Garros (Paris) from June 6 to June 8.