Men's Wheelchair Doubles Final - Part 1 Wimbledon

Third Championship point. He's got it! Look at what it means to them!

Good morning and welcome to Wimbledon for a weekend of finals.

From one o'clock, we will be concentrating on Centre Court, with

Venus Williams facing Garbine Muguruza. But our very first final

here at Wimbledon is the wheelchair men's doubles, and it features the

British pair and defending champions, Gordon Reid and Alfie

Hewett, who are just starting so-so warm up. They are up against the

French pair of Houdet and Peifer, who they beat in the final last

year, but who beat them in the Paralympics. It is a bit overcast,

and there is a 2000 capacity here, on Court No. 3, which means more

people will be able to see this final than ever before, when they

realise it is here! Steve, this is going to be a great final? It's

going to be fantastic. I have watched them all their way through

this competition, but that is enough from me, Jordanne Whiley, no

stranger to Wimbledon finals, you have got another one tomorrow. But

for now, it is about the guys. They're going to be feeling nervous?

Naturally. It is a final, and it is a tough match. But if I know the

boys, I know how much they want it, so they're going to be pumped Fish I

met up with the two dies yesterday after their semifinal win.

There's no way you could say that was an easy semifinal? We never

thought it was going to be easy. They are two really good doubles

players, very experienced, and we did a very good job to come back

after losing that second set to win it.

Now, looking forward to the final, how are you feeling about it today?

It is what we wanted, we want another crack at the French boys. We

beat them here last year, and we want to beat them again. I think we

have shown some great signs of a kind of tennis that we need to play

to do that. Hopefully, on Court No. 3, the British public will get

behind us and create a good atmosphere on that court. It's quite

interesting, actually, watching them develop as a pair. In the early

days, Jordan was the senior partner, Alfie was the younger one coming

through, do you feel it is more equal now? Definitely. And at times,

I have seen Alfie taking the lead, which really shows maturity. And

also they have been taking advantage of the ice baths that we have heard

about with Andy Murray, taking two a day. The two of them got in together

yesterday, to help them recover from the long matches under a lot of

pressure. A want to do well here because it is their home crowd,

their family, and general supporters in the crowd. Steve, at least they

have got a really professional approach but? They really have, but

it shows the friendship they have got as well! Coming through the way

they have, Gordon Reid may be overseeing a little bit of Alfie's

development. They're already saying, Gordon is trying to push Alfie back

down, he's seeing him more of a threat than somebody to mentor now.

It has been really good watching them develop. The chemistry is not

just on court. What about the French pair, they are really strong? They

are rev really talented players. They have shown that, in the

Paralympic final, and also some times this year when they have

beaten them. It's going to be tough but I really believe in the boys. It

is a big day, I'm thrilled that it has got a bigger court, and I know

as the match progresses, it's going to start filling up, and that's

going to help the boys, isn't it? I think so. Home crowd, Wimbledon,

they are defending champions as well. They've got a lot to play for.

This is not something they have just turned up for, they have put in a

lot of time and effort to be at their best for this competition.

Winning this is something they want to do and they have worked hard for

it. Jordanne Whiley, talk us through the relative strengths Gordon, first

of all, what are his best shots, how does he play? Gordon is very handy

at the net. He has good skills, very talented. Alfie is fearless, young,

he just wants to go out and give it his best every single time he's on

the court. Although two bounces are allowed, is it more effective to

take it on the first bounce if you can? Definitely, if you can do that

you definitely have the advantage. The ball really does slow down when

you're playing on the grass. Going back to the relationship, if you

watch Alfie and his body language, and how different it is from Gordon

Reid. He really lets his frustration show, whereas Gordon sits back and

absorbs it a lot more, internally. Alfie is very, very open about his

body language. And Gordon also, he tends to have a lot of supporters,

and quite often they will turn up wearing their hair band thing that

he's got? Definitely. Alfie is very expressive, he has always been like

that, he's a little bit like myself. What has their record been like so

far this year in the Grand Slams? Cordon and Alfie have done quite

well this year. Obviously, they are defending the title from here last

year. But they have struggled this year against Houdet and Peifer so

I'm really hoping they can pull it out of the bag. Steve, what do you

think about how the match might go? I don't think it's going to be very

easy for either of them. If you look up to the build-up to this, in the

semifinals yesterday, it went to three sets. They pulled it back in

the third set. How are you looking at the pairings, and I don't think

this is going to be easy for anyone, what do you think? It's not an easy

match, it's really tough, four amazing, talented players and I

think it's going to be an amazing match. There is going to be an awful

lot of support here as well. It could be the first of the British

successes this weekend. We've got hopes in the next doubles tomorrow,

but also, in the wheelchair doubles, Jordanne Whiley yourself, and Yui

Kamiji, the partner you have describe as your bag for life! And

she still is my bag for life! Should be good? I really think so, again,

it's the chemistry, it's the look between you, it says so much. You

don't need to talk when you're playing with her. No, we don't, we

literally just have eye contact, a little wink and a smile, and

everything is fine! It must help so much if you can naturally understand

each other. It is a very special bond when you have that with

someone, because you don't necessarily need to do the talking

all the time and the tactics. We're so lucky that we have that, and I

think that is a base foundation of why we're so great. Absolutely, it

is key. You haven't got time to talk, it doesn't matter about

language, or how much you can communicate, you need to be able to

read each other's body language. It's just the little nods and

smiles, they go along way. It's going to be fascinating,

best-of-three sets, and the only difference in the rules is, the ball

can bounce twice. Everything else is exactly the same. It is a fairly

still day, there's just a small threat of rain, but hopefully it

will stay dry. We can hand you over to commentary now, with Nick

Mullins, and the quadfather himself, Peter Norfolk.

NICK MULLINS: On the other side of the net, the French pair they beat

in a third set tie-break last year. This is what they've done so far,

the French were taken to three sets yesterday by Stefan Olsson and

Maikel Scheffers in the semifinal. Gordon Reid and Alfie Hewett working

really hard to come through against Gustavo Fernandez and Shingo Kunieda

late yesterday evening, so it has been a fairly quick turnaround for

them, shifting from a more homely surroundings of Court No. 17 to

Court No. 3 here. Peter Norfolk is alongside me. Winner of 100 Grand

Slam titles in his time! Anything he does not know about this sport is

barely worth knowing. Good morning, Peter. Good morning, everyone, good

morning, Nick. A lot of anticipation and excitement for this one. A bit

of history. I commentated on a fabulous match back in Rio 2016,

which unfortunately the British pair lost, but it was a thrilling match.

That's Stefan, who, the Paralympic gold medallist. Collecting a modicum

of Wimbledon revenge to claim the gold medal. And they are building up

quite a history, these two now. They played each other most recently at

the French Open, at Roland Garros. And this really should be wheelchair

tennis of the highest quality. The French top seeds, favourites, Houdet

and Peifer, against the British defending champions. They are the

top four sides, so in the doubles rankings, number one, two, three and

four. That's the 26-year-old who lives just outside Paris, Peifer,

not far from the Palace. And his partner, who is now 46, continuing

to play at an incredible level, one of the old soldiers of the sport,

Stephane Houdet, former world number one. Currently third in the rankings

and as good as he has ever been, Peter? Absolutely, he's fit as a are

going to, hugely intelligent and personable. He's taken over the

mantle, I think I was the oldest player at one point! He still loves

the sport, loves playing. He's got this special chair where he has try

to change his sitting position. Is that the car bomb one that we were

talking about last year -- the carbon one? Absolutely, and it's

completely innovative. He's not sat on a conventional seat. You look at

the Peifer on the right, in the moulded carbon fibre one. Every time

your body moves, the chair moves with you. Houdet has got suspension

on the chair, and they've put a lot of research and development into

this. It must cost a few bob? It sure did. I understand it was about

?100,000. It is a one-off. Most chairs don't cost that much, that's

for sure! But it is an interesting development. As we look at Gordon

getting a last-minute tweak by the wheelchair repair man. And that is

really important in terms of the way Gordon Reid will want to play?

Absolutely. He's got way too much play there. If it's too low on the

ground, essentially, it would be taking the big wheels off the grass

and you won't be going anywhere! If it's too high research the ground,

when he leans back to get a smash or serve, the chair is going to tip too

much. It is crucial to get it right. I'm surprised he's doing that now,

but then again, they haven't played on this court yet. No, they were out

on court No. 17, as we were saying. Now, for this final, they're on

Court No. 3. And that is where we are, where the old Court No. 2 used

to be before they rebuilt it and moved it a little further south. It

is a wonderful arena and a fabulous place to showcase this sport for the

next couple of hours. Yeah, it's a great court, really good. Hopefully

it will get filled up with a lot more crowded. They're only just

coming in, really, into the grounds. The bigger the crowd, I think the

more the players will play to that. So, here we go. Gordon Reid has had

his pit stop. He and Alfie Hewett are ready to try and win this

doubles title for the second year running. It will be Gordon Reid who

will get us under way. Permaul lush grass, the harder it is

to get any kind of speed? -- the more lush the grass. Totally right.

Even though you have a second bounce, if you want it, the ball is

dying. Gordon Reid, the 25-year-old

left-hander from Glasgow. It's the French pair who strike

first. From a British pass back, best not to be too alarmed by the

breaks of serve. Sometimes it can be more tricky to hold serve from the

chair. There will be more breaks over the course of this final. But

immediately, an indication of what Houdet and Peifer offer as a

challenge. First to serve for the French,

Stephane Houdet. Stephane Houdet, one of the great

flag flyers for this sport for such a long time now. I was wondering

whether he was going to challenge there. If they can, on this court...

What a shot by Hewett! It was a lovely forehand crosscourt from

Peifer, and Hewett smashed it back across the front of Peifer for a

winner. Look at Houdet's serving, he's

lifting his wheel right off the ground, you watch! The effort he

puts into it! That's Alfie Hewett, Norfolk's

finest. Only 19 years old, pitching himself up against a 46-year-old

serving. That was a good drop shot by Peifer,

but Alfie saw it coming. I think Peifer was trying to be a bit too

clever. That's a really nice angle. I think

you will probably see more of that tactic today, with the green grass,

itch much -- it's much harder for the guys to push the chairs.

UMPIRE: The ball was called in. They do have Hawk-Eye today, they didn't

have it on Court No. 17 yesterday. His challenging will get better! I

think he just wanted to do it! It is really noticeable, how much

greener, how much lusher, this court is. It is, it is so much slower. He

saw that drop shot early, but it's hard to get the chair moving on the

grass. Great pick-up by Hewett. It was, but Houdet just picked it up

and lobbed it over the top - beautiful.

UMPIRE: Game, Houdet and Peifer. NICK MULLINS: The French go two

games up. It is a repeat of the French Open final from Roland

Garros, where Houdet and Peifer took the title in straight sets. That was

on clay. The British coaching team. That was hard work, but the hard

work paid off. It was good work by Hewitt, saw it coming, great pushing

in that hard part of the court, and Houdet couldn't quite control the

volley. Who were trying to put it behind Hewett, because he knows

Hewett is not going to be able to spin on that lush brass. -- grass.

The side spin on that by Hewett! The crowd are loving that!

That's the problem on serve - the receiver is moving all the time to

get into the right position, and if you serve it into the hitting zone,

it's going to be a winner. Yes, they are on the move. It is an integral

part of the game. Absolutely right. Hewett saw that Peifer was moving

very much, and swatted his forehand down into the tramlines. You've got

to keep the chair moving - it's hugely important on the grass.

Got to be careful - that's why they like big courts, so you don't run

into walls and things, and damage the chair. I think even the crowd

were getting worried! Houdet almost tipping out of his

chair. Yesterday, watching the Argentinian Gustavo Fernandez, he

was flying around like Boris Becker. Full of entertainment. So, deuce on

the Hewett serve. You can see they're still trying to

get used to this court, it's all reactive, the ball is staying low,

and it's hard to push on this court. We've had a little bit of rain in

south-west London first thing this morning - nothing serious, just one

or two spits and spots. A little bit of a drizzle at the moment. It's not

great for the chairs, either. If you've got titanium, it can end up

slipping through your fingers. And the defending champions are on

the scoreboard for the first time in this final. There might be some rain

in the air, but it is not a dampening things? Certainly not. The

best tennis at the moment seems to be coming mainly from Hewett and

Houdet? Absolutely, but I think all four players are doing really well.

It really is important, the equipment, you are only as good as

your chair? Absolutely, to get the prep just right is crucial. These

chairs can cost ?3000 to ?4000. With the grass, we saw Gordon Reid

adjusting the back wheel up a bit, because the movement is very

challenging. And the grip as well as important? Absolutely. But only on

the grass, in terms of slipping, but the grip of your hands on the rim as

well. Great work from the Scotsman.

Fantastic overhead, very cool and calm.

This time it is Houdet, who again took a little bit of a tumble. He

hit it straight back to him but he was made ready for its, but the ball

didn't bounce enough. He has been a regular visitor to the

Wimbledon, since it became the last of the Grand Slams to invite the

world's best players on wheels in. Always been the feeling that

wheelchairs on grass were not necessarily a great makes. But

people like the four we're watching right now have this proved that.

Absolutely right, the chairs don't harm the grass, they're designed to

skid across it as much as possible. Gordon Reid and Alfie Hewett setting

up the opportunity to get the break of serve back.

We are all square again in the final.

The French, much happier to do their work in or around the baseline. But

as we have seen over the past couple of days, Gordon Reid and Alfie

Hewett, one at the net, one at the baseline. Yeah, a bit more

aggressive. Again, Hewett's going in, trying to change the play up.

Gordon Reid, who has letters after his name these days, he collected

his MBE from the Queen recently. It has been quite a 12 months for both

of them, Gordon Reid and Alfie Hewett. Gordon Reid shared champagne

with Andy Murray and his team on that final Sunday last summer, when

they became singles champions. And he deserve it. A lot of time and

effort into the sport, great ambassadors, all of them. Just a

little bit of a indication breakdown. -- any indication --

communication breakdown. Yeah, they are all still feeling their way on

this court. And for the first time in this

final, the British pair are ahead. Just beginning to find their way

around the court, Peter? Yes, and that's what they like doing, trying

new things. The idea of Alfie Hewett going into the net, your opponent is

going to be looking at him and what he's doing, rather than the server.

It was a fabulous serve out wide. I think we will see more of that.

Calls from the crowd, that's Alfie Hewett's lob! Grandad, ma'am,

sister, brother. They've done well to get seats, and somewhere amongst

them will be the coach as well, Steve! They're down in force from

Norfolk, a little place which is equidistant between Norwich and

Great Yarmouth. Gordon Reid and Alfie Hewett not lacking for

support, as you would expect, out here on Court No. 3 at the moment.

Well, Gordon Reid did push, and eventually, they win the point.

Peifer was pushing as hard as he could with those long arms, didn't

quite manage it. The crowd loved that.

How about that?! Fantastic, Gordon saw the drop shot coming. Drop shot

for drop shot. It's what they needed, the break of serve. It was a

lovely drop shot, second bounce, Gordon had time to scoop it back

across court. On the line, great hands.

I'm expecting them to start playing on Peifer, actually, he's making a

few little mistakes. He had the spotlight all to himself

last month, when he became the first Briton to win the French Open

singles title. An indication of his fighting capabilities, coming back

from a set down, saving two match points, he's a battler, Alfie

Hewett. And very often, it seems, Peter, he's the weather vane of the

British duo. When Hewett is playing well, they're playing well. He's

very outward in his emotions, and you can tell how it's going, whether

he's chuntering, whether he's smiling. You're did write. Also a

bit more aggressive, coming into the court. -- you're dead right.

The French working hard here to win this break back. The world number

three and the world number five, amongst the best this sport has to

offer. And the British break of serve didn't last long.

CLARE BALDING: The French stopping a run-off four consecutive games for

the British pair there. It is quite interesting, the French pair are so

strong and experienced, but sometimes they can get cross with

each other, Houdet getting particularly cross, Louise? Yeah,

they are quite amusing, those little arguments. Gordon and Alfie are both

playing exceptionally well, aren't they? They certainly are. I still

feel Gordon and Alfie have got a good bit of momentum now. Hopefully

they can carry it through this set. Louise, you said earlier, it is the

first time you have seen Hawk-Eye used in wheelchair tennis, is it

also the first time that an umpire has had to say seats, please, does

-- to the crowd, because they're coming pouring in? Absolutely. This

is fantastic. It is a great thing to see, all this interest. And I would

say right now, it's about 90% full, once these people have sat down.

This is a very tight match, as we get to the business end of the first

set. NICK MULLINS: Yes, this court holds

a couple of thousand, and it's very nearly full.

Peifer, who has been a double amputee since early childhood. He

took up this sport when he was only ten and became the world's best

junior player for a couple of years. The effectiveness, particularly on

this surface of that sliced backhand, Peter. Yeah, I think they

need to use the slice more. If you slice it, they can't get underneath.

And the court is certainly taking the slice, especially there.

Couple of aces now for the French. And there is nothing to separate

them in this men's wheelchair doubles final at Wimbledon. These

two trying to defend the title that they won so famously last year.

Once again, time for Gordon Reid to serve.

Houdet whereas those golf gloves which he used to wear when he was a

golfer. He was brilliant, the world number one in weird -- in wheelchair

golf. He switched to tennis when he met Johan Cruyff. He switched sports

but kept the gloves! And is now brilliant at this one. And also, the

gloves stop his hands slipping on the push rims. He goes through quite

a few pairs, too, actually! UMPIRE: Mr Reid is challenging the

call, the ball was called in. UMPIRE: Game, Houdet and Peifer.

NICK MULLINS: How well did Stephane Houdet control that game, to give

the French a break I'm? Where are we with the sport in this country at

the moment, Pete? I'm hearing that more disabled folk than ever are

playing it up and down the country, around the clubs that have access

for disabled player suggest it seems from the outside to being a decent

state? Yeah, we do, we've got a really good position at the moment.

We had our most successful Paralympics last year. And we won

six medals just we've got chairs in tennis centres, the tennis

foundation are doing a great amount of work. That's the charity who

helped fund the sport in this country? Yeah, they control the

performance side, but also they help. You can go to any tennis

centre, essentially, and learn to play. If you're watching this at

home, and think, I don't have one of those snazzy Chios, you don't have

to because they may well have won at your local tennis centre. Absolutely

right. -- snazzy chairs. The court is the same, the balls are the same.

And here's the Frenchman, one of the best for years and years and years,

serving for the first set. Super reverse backhand by Hewett

there. Reverse backhand yet again by

Hewett, that's rev in a row, too strong for Houdet to control,

leaning out of his chair. And this first set goes on! Light

drizzle here on Court No. 3 at Wimbledon. Yeah, quite difficult to

play in the drizzle, to be honest, it makes the push rim slippery,

there can be struggling pushing the chairs, if it continues.

Clever play by Houdet there. Gordon Reid did a backhand and they saw it.

It was outstanding chasing initially from Houdet, the hard work from Reid

and the winner from Hewett. Yeah, he pushed really hard out on that soft

grass, and Hewett saw that Houdet was out of position, split the

French pair again. One of the cool things about this

sport is where you can stuff the balls. And Hewett, one of those who

uses the spokes to good effect. Yeah, but you have to be careful

they don't come out of the spokes. The French just using that lusher

green bit around the net to good effect. Yeah, it is a tactic. If the

ball does come out, for the first time, it is a let come and after

that...? It is a point away. Keeping the pressure on, aren't

they? Yeah, trying to raise the temperature.

There you go! Alfie Hewett has held serve. And the defending champions

are game away from the first set. CLARE BALDING: I wanted to talk to a

little chap here called Cameron. How old are you? Ten. And who is your

favourite player? Alfie Hewett. And you have got his hair cut. Are you

playing tennis yourself, and how often? I play about... And is this

the level you want to be playing at one-day? Yeah. What does it mean to

you to see a crowd this big at Wimbledon, watching your favourite

player, Alfie Hewett, in the final, is this a really good day for you?

Yeah. And who have you come with? My mum, my brother, my sister and my

dad. Fantastic, we need to start chanting, don't we, because this is

a very tight first set. What are you going to chant? Come on. Let's hope

the boys can do it now. This rain is starting to come down pretty

steadily, I have to say. At what point will the umpire

decided to take them off? At what point is it unplayable? When the

players start slipping and missing pushes. Obviously it is a lot

earlier than standing up. I am joined by Peter Norfolk. Pistol

Pete, as we call you. Thank you. They do make it look easy, don't

they? I can assure you, it is hard work in those tears on grass.

We need a tie-break in the third set in the final last year. We have got

one in the first set this year. Arena is really starting to come

down. Alfie Hewett looking towards the umpire, suggesting he might not

be averse to stopping. They will want to finish the set, but this

could affect how they are pushing. Alfie has decided that if he set up

at the net there is less pushing. That is quite hard.

We were threatened with one or two showers throughout the day.

Houdet was using the rain to put side spin on the ball. Shot off the

grass. He doesn't look entirely happy with life at the moment. The

aluminium hand rims get very slippery. I am sure the officials

will want to finish this set before the do anything. Still on serve in

this first set tie-break. Intelligent play by Houdet. Saw

Hewett going back towards the back fence.

That is a doubles ploy. Hit the ball a lot more down the middle.

Splitting the two players. Try to get and miscommunication. One is

going one way and one is going the other. As soon as you give someone

an angle, they have an angle back. It is still raining. Slightly more

than spitting, you would see. I'm not sure that spitting is the phrase

that Carol would use, but it will do for us.

Good serve by Gordon Reid. They needed an nice serve down the middle

T. There is the break back and we are

back on serve. Low percentage, but so worth it. A little summit meeting

for the French. Oh dear. Alfie is usually so secure

overhead. He is in close to the net. That could be crucial. Probably

should have been set point for the defending champions. Instead it is

set point to last year's runners up. On the Hewett serve.

Well, the British pair won the titles last year by winning over

three sets. They're going to have to do it again if the are to defend

their title. The French peer take the first set on a tie-break. 7-6.

Talking about how the game has developed...

It is so tense. Louise Hunt and myself are very close to the action.

So little in it. A couple of unforced errors. And great

performances on both sides. Steve Comer when the rain was heavy, what

sort of difference does it make for them? The difference is more about

your control than it is about ball control. The responsiveness of your

chair is really put down. It spends through your hands a little bit.

When you try to push, there will be some giving your hands. The two

bounces is one thing, but if you simply can't get to the ball, it

doesn't matter how many bounces you are allowed. Would Gordon and Alfie

have any gloves for wet conditions? Or do you just not normally play

when it is wet? If the rain gets any more, they won't be able to play.

But it is a personal choice whether you wear gloves. Are they playing

well enough to bring this back? Absolutely. No doubt in my mind.

Fitness has come into it. They have had a long week already.

The French and Wimbledon are a little bit slower. Start of the

second set, Stephane Uday. -- Houdet.

The rain is not as severe as it was, but is still in the air.

It looks like it will be a solid first game of the second set for the

French peer, which is not what the British peer would like.

A good return of serve from Alfie Hewett. Lots of pressure from

Houdet. Great shot by Alfie Hewett.

Splitting the peer. That is one of the shots of the

match. Still be reversed top-spin backhand out to the tramlines. See

how high that kicks up. Good pushing by Gordon here. Right

outside the court, outside the tramlines. Houdet just popped it too

long. Now the longest game of the final.

That is genius! The quality of the pick-up. To keep that rally alive

and then what Alfie Hewett did to finish it. Fantastic pushing. The

commitment to that. What a great shot. No wonder everyone is

standing. Lovely drop shot. He just kept pushing. Flick it crosscourt.

That is like Federer. That will give them something. They were looking a

bit flat. That is exactly what we needed.

So the defending champions have the break of serve at the start of the

second set, asset they must win to keep this final live.

Good shot by Nicolas Peifer. In that situation, you have to hit it to the

guy at the back of the court, not at the front.

Too strong. Gordon hit that straight at Nicolas Peifer. Couldn't control

the volley. When long on the baseline.

Starting to use a lush green patches. Alfie Sullock. He also saw

that Houdet was not moving the Stationery. Can get off the mark

quick enough on the grass. Nicolas Peifer using side spin to

take it further out of the court. Well played. There is a challenge.

The ball was called out to. He has come to the assistance of the

French. Replay the point. There was some frustration on court 17 that

they didn't have Hawk-Eye. Now we are seeing the other side of it. It

is a learning process to use it. If the rain continues, I think they

might pull them off court. Ladies and gentlemen, play is

suspended. There we go. It has been threatening for the last 25 minutes.

It is becoming harder and harder for players to manoeuvre themselves

around the court. Not just the grip of the tyres, pumped to 150 psi, but

also the grip of the hands to get them there in the first place. Yes,

it is a hands on the metal hand rooms. If you miss a push, you won't

get to the ball and it gets a bit dangerous. Skidding, not controlling

the chair. Hopefully it is not for too long. What is your inkling at

the moment? Interesting. It is about who is going to take the initiative.

Both players seemed to fade in and out at the moment. There is no real

pattern. One minute it is Nicolas Peifer not concentrating. I felt

Gordon wasn't at one point. They need a period where each player is

able to continue the momentum going. Look at that out there. Fillet of

Wimbledon Park,., OK to sail around in, but it is not all right to play

tennis, particularly in a wheelchair. The final of the women's

wheelchair tennis will be delayed because of this. Diede De Groot and

Sabine Ellerbrock will be on court later. Right now, the men's doubles

final is on hold. The French won the first set on a tie-break.

The crowd are giving some support. The information we have is this rain

will last for about 15 minutes. Fingers crossed we will get this

final back on court at some point this afternoon. They save 15

minutes, but it is not looking great, that's the truth. What we

have seen has been fantastic. So tight. Louise, how important for

Gordon and Alfie to get that early break and set in this second set?

Obviously Alfie is under pressure on his serve, but there was lots to

play for? Absolutely. Good start to the second serve. It might help them

and give them more time to regroup. I think Alfie will be fine. Look

forward to them getting back out on court soon. Steve spoke of the

difficulty of pushing when it is wet on the outer rim of the wheel, but

also the ball is picking up moisture and the grass is lush. The ball is

dying. There has been some great pushing from Alfie. You think the

point is over, and next thing you know the hitting winners. With the

extra weight of the ball, those second bounces make it very

difficult. We spoke about the grass. You have come back from winning on

clay. It makes a huge difference. In a way, clay can almost be more

reactionary. They can bounce off the lines in all sorts of weird and

wonderful directions. How impressed and excited are you? I spoke to that

ten-year-old boy Cameron earlier. He told me he is playing three times a

week. This final is live on BBC Two. And added sort of glow of the

inspirational side of it, getting their kids to know they can play

tennis? Yes, and what is wonderful is, how

many people are here. I hope that everybody at home is watching this,

no matter what your disability is going to there is a way to play

tennis. Whether it is purely for enjoyment, or you want to make it to

the top. These guys on court today are showing you what level you can

get to. We want to give you the opportunity to see as much tennis as

you can, so while we wait for the rain to pass, let's have a look at

the semifinal from yesterday which got Jordan Reed and Alfie Hewett is

to this point. We'll pick it up in the third set.

That was a bit of a mistake by Fernandez, hitting it back to

Hewett, he didn't give his partner a chance to move, really. And there is

the break, and Britons move ahead in this decisive third set.

That's Gordon Reid's girlfriend, Marina.

So, the last vestiges of sunshine on court. On this second Friday of the

Championships. Reid and Hewett, their nose is now in front in this

third set. It's been a routine that's worked

well, the idea of having Hewett buzzing around at the net, on the

Reid serve. Not so much when Fernandez is returning, however.

Yes, it's a really good Zen. -- really good tactic.

This will be testing the fitness of Shingo Kunieda's injured elbow.

Great recovery there, kept them in that point.

Every point now being treated for what it is, because every point

takes defending champions a step does to Sundays final.

PETER NORFOLK: Hit the chair, lose the point. If the ball hits the

chair before it bounces, you lose the point.

To see it is one thing, to have the touch to do it is another. Also,

it's harder to push, the ball doesn't bounce up so much. Although

you've got two bounces, still not quick enough.

A point four double break in this third set.

Yes, there's just no defending that. The number of points that he's won

with that big howitzer down the middle. There he is, moving forward,

using the chair, his hips, his shoulders, everything!

Great shot, what a return of serve. Hewett decided to attack, look where

he's sitting, right over the baseline, didn't give Shingo Kunieda

a chance to move away from his serve position.

Nearly there, boys! A double break, and they're within a game of getting

back to a Wimbledon final. Just the feel of this semifinal, the

tone of it, has changed in the last 15 minutes? Yes, it's been quite

tense, and you can see that it means a lot to all of these players, but

not necessarily nervy, but mistakes are being made. It's about who can

grasp the next game by the scruff of the neck, and at the moment, it's

Alfie Hewett who seems to be playing the big points well. Gordon is

playing steady Eddie. Chance to serve it out.

Opportunity to right again all the stories of last summer to IF they

can get into the final once more. IF Alfie Hewett can hold on to his next

service game. Sound head on his shoulders for a

19-year-old lad. Shaking his head, he didn't really

mean to do that. As soon as Fernandez had hit that, he was

racing into the net, because he realised there was going to be a

drop shot coming. Lovely controlled forehand by Gordon

Reid, into the tram lines. Look at that.

They are at it again! Reid and Hewett, the best of British on

wheels, rolling into another Wimbledon final. Great way of

finishing. And how well did they play in that second set. They took

control of it, in the last 20 or 25 minutes, dominating. Once again, in

tandem together, the chance to become a Wimbledon champions for the

second summer running. That was Gordon and Alfie in action

yesterday. We had to bring you that because of the rain stopping play.

No play before 1:15pm and win No-one... ..tells us...

..what to choose.