Weekes, Stibners win on Rio courts

NSWIS wheelchair tennis player Ben Weekes has cruised through to the second round of the men’s singles competition with a straight sets win over Spaniard Francesc Tur.

Despite serving five double faults and having more unforced errors than the plucky Spaniard, Weekes was too strong in his return of serve, winning a close first set 7-5 in 52 minutes before claiming the victory with a 6-3 second set in 47 minutes.

The clash was a re-match of the round one battle at the London Paralympic four years ago and Weekes, who is competing at a fourth Games for Australia said it had been a tough match up, with Tor switching up his game-style in preparation for their clash.

“He came out with a strong game plan and it took me a little while to work out how to combat that – he played me a little different than he normally does, he targeted my backhand,” Weekes explained to the Australian Paralympic Committee’s media staff.

“Once I figured that out I kind of felt a bit more in control and could finish it off.”

Despite the nerves of an opening round at the Paralympic Games, Weekes said he was pleased that his mental approach had set up a strong first up win.

“I think I just stayed calm when it was close in the first set. We went to five-all, then I went up six-five and I had a tough game to win the set, but I managed to stay calm and just believe in myself and all the hard work that I’ve done to be here,” Weekes said.

Now safely through to the second round, Weekes says the gold medal in Rio is anyone’s to grab.

“It’s a whole different tournament the Paralympics. It’s pretty much anyone’s game, I’ve done all the hard work and I feel ready and in really good condition, so I’m really looking forward to seeing what I can do.”

Weekes and fellow NSWIS athlete Adam Kellerman will square off against the Polish pairing of Kamil Fabisiak and Tadeusz Kruszelnicki in the opening round of the doubles competition tonight AEST.

Meanwhile, the Australian men’s wheelchair basketball team, that includes veteran NSWIS Roller Brett Stibners, have escaped with a 62-60 win over Turkey after an incredible finish to their Pool A match at Carioca Arena 1.

Trailing by six points with just over two minutes remaining, the Rollers showed all of their trademark fight and more, to defensively close-up on Turkey, before finding clutch baskets at the death to secure a second consecutive win and remain undefeated at the 2016 Rio Paralympic Games.

Stibners contributed four points, seven assists and two rebounds in his more than 21 minutes on court.

The Rollers next face a replay of the 2012 Paralympic final, when they meet Canada at the Rio Olympic Arena on Day 3.