GORDON REID got his Australian Open campaign off to the perfect start in Melbourne on Wednesday.

The Helensburgh hero defeated second seed Gustavo Fernandez in three sets in the men's wheelchair singles quarter-finals at the first Grand Slam tournament of the year.

Reid, 29, ended the Australian Open title defence of Argentina’s world No. 2 6-3, 6-7(3), 6-2 to set up a semi-final against Belgium’s Joachim Gerard – the world number four, and the same player Reid beat in the 2016 Australian Open final to win his first career Grand Slam singles title.

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Wednesday was a good day for both the Brits in the men's singles draw, after Alfie Hewett saw off France's Stephane Houdet 6-3, 6-4.

With Reid and his Hewett in opposite halves of the draw, there is the potential for an all-Brit men’s singles final later this week – if Hewett can get past world number one Shingo Kunieda in the semi-finals.

After his quarter-final victory, Reid said: “I’m very pleased with the performance and result today. I served and returned well for the majority of the match and managed to impose my style, which is important against Gustavo.

"I’m looking forward to another opportunity tomorrow against Gerard.”

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Three-time Wimbledon and US Open champions Hewett and Reid also begin their men’s doubles title bid on Thursday, when they face Fernandez and Kunieda.

The British pair are aiming to continue their winning start to the year after following up their victory in the Tweed Heads International Open with success in the Melbourne Open at the weekend.

They secured the trophy with a 4-6, 6-0, (10-7) win over long-time foes Stephane Houdet and Nicolas Peifer of France in Sunday’s final.

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