Dutch player Sam Schroder wins 4th straight Australian Open quad wheelchair title

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Sam Schroder of the Netherlands poses with his trophy after defeating compatriot Niels Vink in the men’s quad wheelchair final at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Saturday, Jan. 25, 2025. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)

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Yui Kamui of Japan plays a forehand return to Aniek Van Koot of the Netherlands in the women’s wheelchair final at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Saturday, Jan. 25, 2025. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)

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Sam Schroder, right, of the Netherlands is congratulated by compatriot Niels Vink after winning the men’s quad wheelchair final at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Saturday, Jan. 25, 2025. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)

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Sam Schroder of the Netherlands celebrates after defeating compatriot Niels Vink in the men’s quad wheelchair final at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Saturday, Jan. 25, 2025. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)

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Aniek Van Koot of the Netherlands plays a forehand return to Yui Kamui of Japan in the women’s wheelchair final at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Saturday, Jan. 25, 2025. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)

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Yui Kamui of Japan plays a backhand return to Aniek Van Koot of the Netherlands in the women’s wheelchair final at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Saturday, Jan. 25, 2025. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Sam Schroder has won his fourth consecutive quad wheelchair title at the Australian Open after defeating fellow Dutchman Niels Vink 7-6 (7), 7-5 on Saturday.

Second-ranked Vink went into the match with a 23-12 won-lost record against the top-ranked Schroder.

“I think it’s very special for me to once again having won a tournament,” Schroder said. “After the first one, you want the second one. Unbelievable to have won the fourth one. It’s really crazy when I think about it.”

There are three categories in wheelchair tennis — men, women and quads, with each category having singles and doubles tournaments. The quad is the newest division and for players who have substantial loss of function in at least one upper limb, and which may also include various other disabilities besides quadriplegia.

In the women’s singles final, Yui Kamiji of Japan beat Dutch player Aniek van Koot 6-2, 6-2. In the men’s singles final, Britain’s Alfie Hewett beat Japan’s Tokito Oda 6-4, 6-4.

In the junior girls title match, Vitoria Miranda of Brazil recovered from being shut out in the opening set to beat American Sabina Czauz 0-6, 6-3, 7-6 (4). In the boys final, American Charlie Cooper beat Alexander Lantermann of Belgium 6-2, 6-2.

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AP tennis: https://apnews.com/hub/tennis