PARALYMPICS LONDON 2012: Burdekin eyeing scalp of British team-mate Norfolk

By Sportsbeat staff, London 2012

JAMIE Burdekin insists he has no intention of respecting the reputation of two-time Paralympic wheelchair tennis champion Peter Norfolk.

HOPEFUL: Jamie Burdekin has beaten British team-mate Peter Norfolk and world number one David Wagner, of the USA (onEdition)

Norfolk, who will carry the British flag at the opening ceremony, is seeking a third consecutive quad singles title, although his form has been mixed in recent months.

And former Royal Marine Burdekin, who partnered Norfolk to doubles bronze in Beijing, believes he can take advantage, especially after a recent win over world number one David Wagner at the British Open.

“I’ve trained for the gold medal and that is my aim,” he said.

“I’ve taken out a couple of good scalps this year by beating the world’s top two. That can only boost my confidence.

“There’s no reason why I can’t beat Peter. I was the last player he played and I beat him then.

"But I still class him as the world’s best player so I’m not going to take him lightly.”

Burdekin was not selected for the Quad doubles competition at London 2012, and wishes Norfolk and his new partner Andy Lapthorne ‘all the luck in the world’ as they attempt to win Britain’s first doubles gold.

But he believes the chance to focus on one event could give him the advantage when it comes to the singles.

“I hope those two go all the way,” he said. 

“I’ll certainly be supporting them. But for me, not doing the doubles is an opportunity to really concentrate on the singles and get the recovery I need.

“I’m really made up for Peter carrying the flag,” he added. ”He’s a really good mate and that is what he deserves.

“But believe me, I’m looking to upset him this week.”