Wheelchair tennis rolls onto the big stage in New York

Wheelchair tennis took the spotlight at the US Open as the competition was held for the first time on the big stage — the Arthur Ashe stadium.First to put the showcase arena to the test was Britain’s Alfie Hewett and Gordon Reid who beat Japan’s Shingo Kunedia and Argentine Gustavo Fernandez 6-3, 6-2.  “We knew a few days ago that some matches would be played on Ashe,” the 19-year-old Hewett said. “I found out at 8pm last night — it was a nice surprise.” Reid added: “It was incredible to have that opportunity as wheelchair players. It’s showing the respect that wheelchair tennis is gaining, a great first match here.  “It’s probably the nicest court I played on, so for me, it really is the stuff that dreams are made of, to play on Ashe. Hopefully, it’s not the last time.” The competition ends on Sunday — day of the men’s final between Rafael Nadal and Kevin Anderson — with wheelchair matches in the men’s, women’s and quad divisions. The sport uses the rules of tennis with the exception that the ball can bounce twice.Bouchard to miss home WTA event next week Former top 10 player Eugenie Bouchard will miss her home WTA event, with the 76th-ranked Canadian calling in sick for the tournament which begins on Monday.Bouchard, who went down in the first round of the US Open in her fourth loss in six matches played since Wimbledon, cited a virus as reason for pulling out.The high-profile absence drives a stake into the small event which could have used some hometown interest. Bouchard played the semi-finals in Quebec in 2013.“I am extremely disappointed to have to withdraw from the National Bank Cup because it’s a tournament that I enjoy and I am always motivated to play at home in front of the Quebec crowd,” Bouchard said.“I have been dealing with a virus for the past few days that has not allowed me to train since the end of the US Open and will prevent me from playing the tournament. “I will focus my energy on recovering, but I don’t know when I will be able to return to competition.”