Tom Egberink will bid to become the first Dutchman to win the men’s singles Paralympic gold medal since Robin Ammerlaan when he faces top seed Shingo Kunieda in Tokyo 2020 gold medal match on Saturday after defeating No. 2 seed and Rio 2016 finalist Alfie Hewett 6-4 7-6(5).

The world No. 8, who was unlikely to play the Paralympics as originally scheduled last season following elbow surgery, admitted it was an emotional moment to produce his best tennis and emulate the former world No.1, who also claimed silver at Beijing 2008.

“He’s a real inspiration for me,” Egberink said. “In Beijing, I was there [at the Paralympics] for the first time. I didn’t play, I was just watching. But I thought, ‘This could be me in the future’, and a few years later I am here in the final. It’s really amazing.”

Hewett came into the match with the higher ranking and the 2021 Roland Garros title to his name, but Egberink, who had previously not been beyond the round of 16 at a Paralympics, held the advantage in their head-to-head, and it was soon clear to see he had a game that gave the world No. 2 problems.

With his skimming backhand slice fizzing over the net cord and barely rising after the bounce, in stark contrast to that heavily weighted topspin forehand, the Dutchman denied Hewett the chance to build any attacking momentum.

“Gutted,” Hewett admitted. “Really wanted to make the final. Felt like I had my chances, I had opportunities to do that today, and I couldn’t execute it. I’d lost the last two [against him in 2019] and I think that played on my mind a little bit. I thought I was a better player now to be able to handle what he brings to the court.”

The tenor of a tight contest was clear as the duo traded breaks in the opening two games of the match, Egberink eventually sealing the odd break in five to secure the first set. Returns reigned in the second, and Egberink saw two match points come and go following his only hold of the set before Hewett fought back from 15-40 to stay in the match and earn a tiebreak.

Hewett appeared to have bought himself a lifeline but it a was reprieve. Two more match points came and went, the fourth off a rasping return from Hewett that looked out only for HawkEye to rule it caught the line. Egberink’s celebrations were only one point premature – a forehand long from the Briton sealed his fate, and a place in the bronze medal match.

For Egberink, a shot at gold and a showdown with world No. 1 Shingo Kunieda awaits.

“Shingo is the man here in Japan,” Egberink said. “It’s a shame the court will not be packed because that would have been really, really nice. I’m in the final, I can play my own game. If I play my own game let’s see what happens. Shingo will be the favourite, he’s the world No. 1. But I’m here for one reason: to win something – I’ll give it my all.”

Hometown hero Kunieda could claim his third Paralympic singles crown on Saturday after defeating Rio 2016 gold medallist Gordon Reid 6-3 6-2. It was a stellar display from the 37-year-old, leaving the Scot in the same boat as Hewett: unable to impose himself in the face of a player returning with interest in virtually every rally.

 “I was trying to stay positive, trying to stick to the tactics that we planned before the match,” Reid said. “Tennis is a sport that can change or turn around on momentum on one or two points and it’s not over until the last point. But it’s difficult when he’s on a run like that and playing with so much confidence, he’s a difficult match to stop.”

Reid will face Hewett for bronze in an all-British rematch of Rio’s gold medal match contest a day after they join forces to chase doubles gold against defending champs Stephane Houdet and Nicolas Peifer, another Rio repeat.

“I think if there’s one thing me and Gio have in common right now, it’s how we feel,” Hewett said. “We’ll be absolutely buzzing to get out there tomorrow and try and get the gold, and then play against each other for the bronze.

“That will be tough – we know each other very well. But right now we’ve got to channel our thoughts to tomorrow’s match, because it’s still a big opportunity. We came here to get gold, so we’ll try and put this behind us as quick as we can.”

For Kunieda, the chance to reach the top step of the podium at a Paralympics in his hometown is one match from becoming reality on Saturday. But first, he and Sanada will take on Egberink and Maiket Scheffers in the doubles bronze medal match.

“I think it will be a little preparation,” said Kunieda, who like Egberink has put his elbow issues behind him. “I’m in great condition. I just need to focus on every point. If I could play against the Rio 2016 version of myself today, I would without a doubt beat him. I am playing at my best right now.”