LOUISE Hunt says she took far more than just pride in defeat from her match against world number one Yui Kamiji last week.

Wanborough wheelchair tennis ace Hunt went head-to-head with Japan’s Kamiji in the semi-finals of the Toyota Open International de L’ile de Re in France, going down 6-0, 6-1 to the woman who has claimed the first two Grand Slam titles of 2017.

For Hunt, there was no disgrace in losing to the in-form Kamiji, who dropped just three games across three matches in the tournament, with the 26-year-old eager to use the experience as a valuable learning curve.

“My singles was tough but I lost to the world number one who has just won Roland Garros. If I am going to lose to anyone, that’s not too bad,” said Hunt.

“It was a weird match because I was actually really pleased with how I played.

“Our games were really close, we had loads of deuces and I had loads of advantages, I just couldn’t seem to convert, whereas she seemed to thrive on those points.

“I didn’t feel I played those big points badly but she played them amazingly and that was the difference.

“I played really good tennis but she just had one of those days – she only hit four unforced errors the whole match.

“I was a bit gutted but if your opponent has a good day, you can respect that.”

Two-time Paralympian Hunt went one better in the doubles competition and reached the final alongside partner Italian Giulia Capocci.

However, after previous successes at the Open de Vendee in France and Plock Orlen Polish Open over the past month, Hunt’s hopes of a third straight doubles title came up just short as they were beaten 6-1, 6-1 by Frenchwoman Charlotte Famin and US player Dana Mathewson.

“It is a little disappointing to go so close to another title but overall it was a brilliant week,” said Hunt.

“I played really well but sometimes you play your best tennis and it’s not quite good enough.

“In my last three tournaments since I have been back from a big break, I have played really well in all of them.

“It has been consistent.

“I felt a bit rusty to start with but that’s gone, it took one week to get rid of it and now I feel really good.”

Hunt is back in action at this week’s Wroclaw Cup in Poland, which gets under way tomorrow.