Whiley and Lapthorne prepare for Australian Open

West London pair Jordanne Whiley and Andy Lapthorne begin their Australian Open campaigns in the early hours of Wednesday.

Ickenham-based Whiley, the current US Open champion, is third on court 10 in Melbourne as she takes on Dutchwoman Marjolein Buis in the women’s singles quarter-finals.

Later in the week, she will start the defence of her Australian Open doubles title, this time partnering fellow Brit Lucy Shuker.

Whiley said: “I pulled out of the Melbourne Open last week as a precaution as I’ve had an injury over the last week, but I’ve been hitting really well over the last few days and I’ve been looking forward to the draw, knowing that whoever I get I will be ready to play.”

Meanwhile, Lapthorne, from Eastcote, plays his doubles partner Dylan Alcott on Wednesday in the first of three quad singles round-robin matches.

He will also take on David Wagner and Lucas Sithole in successive days in the round-robin phase as the world number four attempts to win his first Australian Open singles title.

The top two players after the completion of the quad singles round-robin will go forward to Saturday’s final.

Lapthorne partners Alcott later in the week as he bids to win his fifth Australian Open quad doubles title.