By David Gold

Esther Vergeer_23_JulyJuly 23 - There was success, again, for dominant Dutchwoman Esther Vergeer at the British Open wheelchair tennis final as she continued her nine-year unbeaten run to win the event for the 12th time.

Israel's Noam Gershony was also celebrating after claiming his first quad singles title, with Shingo Kunieda of Japan winning the men's singles.

Stephane Houdet and Michael Jeremiasz claimed victory in the men's doubles for France, with Vergeer experiencing rare defeat with Marjolein Buis in the all Dutch women's doubles final to Aniek van Koot and Jiske Griffioen.

Vergeer's singles victory came courtesy of a victory over van Koot, the world number two, in just under an hour with a convincing 6-2, 6-0 success.

Vergeer (pictured top) was never under any real pressure as she cruised to victory, but said afterwards that she had not felt confident going into the match.

Noam Gershony_23_July
"After the first couple of games I felt I got into it and I'm very happy to win the British Open for the 12th time," she said.
"It gives me confidence heading into London 2012."

Gershony had seemed to be on the edge against British favourite Jamie Burdekin in the quad final and set to lose his first service game.

He held serve though, and grew in stature to take control of the first set and claim a 6-3 win.

The second set was won 6-2 to wrap up what was in the end a comfortable win.

"My game is not based on power and aggression, it is based on accuracy and putting the ball where he is not," said Gershony (pictured above).

"So I played well today and went into the net more times than I can remember in any other match, so I am very happy with the way I've played all week and have given myself lots of confidence for the Paralympics.

"But I hope I don't get drawn against Jamie as he has improved a lot over the last few months."

Another Briton was defeated in the men's singles as Kunieda beat Gordon Reid 6-3, 6-1.

It was one-way traffic as the Japanese claimed the first four games of the opening set, but Reid refused to give in easily and after saving two set points managed to break his opponent.

At 5-3 it looked like he could make a stirring comeback but Kunieda then held serve to claim the set.

The second set was easier for Kunieda, with Reid holding serve just once.

Shingo Kunieda_23_July
"Gordon is left-handed, which made it more difficult for me and his power meant he could break back and it was dangerous for me," Kunieda (pictured above) said afterwards.

"I am very happy to win the British Open for the fourth time and it gives me confidence for London, where I want to win my second gold medal."

The men's doubles final was again straightforward, with Houdet and Jeremiasz rarely in trouble as they won 6-1, 6-2 against Dutch pair Robin Ammerlaan and Ronald Vink.

The women's doubles was the only final which went to three sets, as well as a rematch of the Wimbledon final just weeks earlier.

Just as on that occasion, it was Griffioen and van Koot celebrating but only after losing the first set 6-2.

They then won the remaining sets 7-5, 6-2 for their triumph.

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