LOUISE Hunt has returned to number 12 in the women’s singles world rankings after recording her best results of year when winning both the singles and doubles titles at the ITF 2 Israel Open.

The 24-year-old, who a member of the Tennis Foundation’s Wheelchair Tennis World Class Programme, began the tournament in Ramat Hasharon with a 6-2, 6-3 win over South Africa’s Mariska Venter.

The Wanborough ace then had to dig deep to win a thrilling semi-final against Dutch second seed Michaela Spaanstra 0-6, 6-3, 7-6(5).

Hunt, who is also an athlete mentor for the Tennis Foundation’s Beyond The Baseline secondary school programme, that uses tennis mentors to nurture pupils’ aspirations, then went on to secure her fourth career win over Germany’s world number 10 Katharina Kruger 7-5, 7-5.

“I’m so pleased to have won my first singles title of the year here,” Hunt said.

“This tournament is special to me as I won it in 2012, which helped me qualify for the London Paralympics.

“I’ve been recalling those memories on recent schools visits, so it’s really exciting that I’ve returned to Israel and I’ve won it again in Paralympic year.

“My semi-final against Michaela was a bit of a scare. The first set wasn’t good at all. I was so nervous but I’m so proud of how I turned it around to win in three.

“I’ve been disappointed with my recent singles matches against Kruger and I was ready for a tough fight, so to win it in two sets was just brilliant. It was great having my coach Ali Ward with me all week. It made such a difference and thanks to the Tennis Foundation for making that possible.”

Hunt’s fourth doubles title of the season came with Japan’s Miho Nijo as her partner.

The duo won two close matches as Hunt followed up on her women’s doubles crown partnering Kruger at the ITF 3 Alpi del Mare in Italy at the end of March, having also secured wins in doubles events in Australia and Great Britain earlier in the year.