Ymanitu Silva tries to win his first Grand Slam in wheelchair tennis
Photo: Frank Molter/ITF
Melbourne, Australia) – For the third time in his career, Ymanitu Silva will participate in a Grand Slam doubles final in wheelchair tennis. After two vice-champions at Roland-Garros, he will now decide the Australian Open. In addition, he will attempt an unprecedented Slam title for Brazilian tennis among professionals in his modality.
Ymanitu and South African Donald Ramphadi beat North American David Wagner and Briton Andy Lapthorne, seeded 2 in the tournament, by 7/5 and 6/3 on Wednesday. They face the Dutch Sam Schroder and Niels Vink, big favorites, who beat the Australian Heath Davidson and the Canadian Robert Shaw by the double 6/1.
Aged 39 and from Santa Catarina, Ymanitu is making his fourth Grand Slam appearance. He played the doubles finals at Roland Garros in 2019 and 2022, and fell in the opening singles and doubles matches on grass at Wimbledon last year. He is currently number 8 in the world rankings for the Quad division, which is for tennis players with disabilities of at least one upper limb.
Wheelchair tennis competitions began being played at the Australian Open in 2002, but quad matches were not included in the schedule until 2008.
Last year, Brazil won its first two Grand Slam titles in wheelchair tennis, with Jade Lanai of Brasilia. She was champion in singles and doubles. in the youth tournament of the US Open of its modality.
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