Gerard to face defending champion Kunieda in men's singles final at NEC Wheelchair Tennis Masters

Joachim Gerard will face Shingo Kunieda in men's final ©Twitter/NECMasters

Belgium’s Joachim Gerard will face Japan's defending champion Shingo Kunieda in the NEC Wheelchair Tennis Masters final after both men dominated their semi-finals at the Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre in London.

Kunieda faced a rematch of the 2014 final against France’s Nicolas Peifer in his last four tie and he was forced to produce his best tennis in a closely contested opening set.

The number one seed eventually earned a decisive break of serve to take the set 7-5 and he then began to dictate the remainder of the contest, quickly cruising to a 7-5, 6-0 victory over the third seed, who had finished top of Group B.

He will now hope to gain revenge against Gerard, who ended the Japanese star’s 77-match unbeaten record in the round robin phase, after he overcame second seed Stephane Houdet of France in his semi-final.

Gerard impressed throughout the duration of the tie to seal a 6-3, 6-1 victory and remain the only unbeaten player in the competition.

“I beat Shingo two days ago and broke his unbeaten 77-match streak so I will just go out and there and try to give my best,” Gerard said afterwards.

“I know that he will play better than he did two days ago.

“I have to play like this tomorrow and have no regrets.”

Sabine Ellerbrock earned a three set win to reach the women's final ©Twitter/NECMasters

The all-Dutch women’s semi-final saw Jiske Griffioen overcome defending champion Aniek van Koot in straight sets.

Van Koot had been some way short of the form which had seen her win the 2014 edition of the season-ending tournament, having narrowly progressed from the group stage despite two defeats.

Although the 25-year-old produced an improved display she was unable to defeat the top seed Griffioen who claimed the opening set 6-4, before battling to win the second 7-5.

Griffioen looked likely to be facing another fellow Dutch player in the final after Group B winner Marjolein Buis claimed the first set of her clash against Germany’s Sabine Ellerbrock 6-4.

Her 40-year-old opponent fought back, however, to consign Buis to her first defeat of the tournament, triumphing 4-6, 6-4, 7-6.

In addition to the men’s and women’s singles finals, the quad event is also set to draw to a close tomorrow with defending champion David Wagner of America facing South Africa’s Lucas Sithole.