David Wagner (left) and Nick Taylor, pictured together in 2013, propelled the US to victory ©Getty Images

United States underlined its status as the most successful nation in quad tennis, battling to victory over Japan to claim a record ninth World Team Cup title in Antalya.

The US beat Japan 3-0 in the pool phase earlier this week but, after the Asian side defeated them in last year's Cup it would have been foolish to underestimate the team, who produced a series of strong performances to reach their second final.

So it proved, as Shota Kawano made amends for a 6-2, 6-3 loss to Nick Taylor earlier in the week with a 6-4, 6-0 victory over the same opponent this time around to give Japan the lead.

World number one David Wagner swiftly hit back, dispatching Mitsuteru Moroishi 6-0, 6-1, meaning he has only dropped one game in four sets against Moroishi over the week. 

Proceedings thus came down to a doubles decider, with three-time Paralympic champions Taylor and Wagner clear favourites against Kawano and Moroishi.

The US duly won 6-2, 6-4 to consign Japan to a second day of silver after their women's team lost yesterday's final against The Netherlands. 

“This was a really tight final," said Bryan Barten afterwards, another US squad member. 

"We were not happy with our results last year and we worked hard to get back on this stage and showed what we can do as a team."

David Wagner, pictured earlier this year, powered the US team to another victory ©Getty Images
David Wagner, pictured earlier this year, powered the US team to another victory ©Getty Images

Israel, runner-up to the US in both 2010 and 2013, took bronze after an impressive 3-0 victory over Italy.

Itay Erenlib beat Marco Innocenti 6-4, 6-0 before Shraga Weinberg won a thrilling battle with Alberto Corradi: 6-3, 1-6, 6-3.

Erenlib partnered Haim Lev to defeat Corradi and Alfredo di Cosmo 6-1, 6-2 in the doubles to ensure Israel finished third for the second successive year.

Elsewhere in the Turkish resort, Spain won the men’s wheelchair World Group II title for the second time after a 2-1 victory over second seed South Africa, meaning they will contest the top tier next year.

Britain will face France in the Group 1 final tomorrow, while Australia will take on Japan for bronze. 


Related stories
May 2015: Delight in Antalya as Dutch secure 28th women's wheelchair tennis team title
May 2015: France off to winning start at ITF BNP Paribas World Team Cup
May 2015: Britain and the United States reveal teams for ITF BNP Paribas World Team Cup
October 2014: Antalya to stage the wheelchair tennis 2015 BNP Paribas World Team Cup
June 2014: France and The Netherlands retain World Team Cup wheelchair tennis titles