PARIS — Great Britain's Alfie Hewett staged a thrilling comeback to defeat Argentina's Gustavo Fernandez 4-6, 6-4, 7-6 (12-10) in a gripping semifinal clash, securing his place in the French Open wheelchair singles final for the fourth time in his career.
The match, lasting over three hours on Court Suzanne Lenglen, showcased Hewett's resilience as he fought back from a set down and saved multiple match points in a dramatic third-set tiebreak. The 26-year-old, a seven-time Grand Slam singles champion, will now face either Tokito Oda of Japan or Belgium's Joachim Gerard in Sunday's final.
A Battle of Nerves and Skill
Hewett, the world No. 2 in wheelchair tennis, struggled early against Fernandez's aggressive baseline play, dropping the first set 4-6. However, the Brit adjusted his tactics, increasing his first-serve percentage and exploiting Fernandez's weaker backhand side to level the match. "I knew I had to stay patient and trust my game," Hewett said in his post-match interview.
The deciding set was a rollercoaster, with both players exchanging breaks before Fernandez earned two match points at 6-5. Hewett saved both with fearless net approaches, forcing a tiebreak. In the breaker, Fernandez again held match points at 9-8 and 10-9, but Hewett's composure under pressure proved decisive.
Key Turning Points
Several moments defined the match:
- Hewett's crucial break at 4-4 in the second set, capitalizing on Fernandez's double fault.
- A 22-shot rally at 10-10 in the tiebreak, ending with a Fernandez error.
- Hewett's bold drop shot on match point, sealing victory.
Hewett's Road to the Final
This marks Hewett's fourth French Open singles final (2017, 2020, 2021, 2024), having won the title in 2020. His path this year included straight-set wins over Martin de la Puente and Stephane Houdet before the grueling Fernandez encounter. "Every match here has been a battle, but I feel I'm peaking at the right time," Hewett remarked.
Fernandez, the 2019 champion, praised Hewett's mental strength: "Alfie played the big points better. At this level, it comes down to who handles the pressure. Today, that was him."
What’s Next for Hewett?
A potential rematch with Oda, who defeated Hewett in last year’s final, looms if the Japanese star overcomes Gerard. Hewett leads their head-to-head 6-4 but lost their only clay-court meeting in Paris last year. "I’ve learned from that defeat," Hewett said. "I’ll be ready."
Should Gerard advance, Hewett holds a dominant 15-2 record against the Belgian, including a straight-sets win in the 2021 final. Regardless of the opponent, Hewett’s focus remains on adding a second Roland Garros crown to his collection.
Conclusion
Hewett’s semifinal victory was a testament to his tenacity and tactical adaptability. With the final set for Sunday, the Brit aims to reclaim the title and strengthen his case for Paralympic gold later this summer. "This is why I play—for moments like these," Hewett said, reflecting on his epic win.
The French Open wheelchair singles final will be broadcast live on Sunday at 11:00 AM local time, with Hewett looking to make history once again on the Parisian clay.