In a thrilling match at the Australian Open, India’s Rohan Bopanna and his Australian partner Matthew Ebden displayed exceptional skill and resilience as they secured a hard-fought 7-6, 7-6 victory over Wesley Koolhof of the Netherlands and Croatia’s Nikola Mektic on Monday.
Despite facing an early setback with breaks in both sets, the second-seeded pair showcased their prowess with remarkable returns against the 14th-seeded opponents. The duo’s ability to recover from challenging situations underscored their determination to advance in the competition.
Their next challenge awaits in the form of the sixth-seeded Argentine team, Maximo Gonzalez and Andres Molteni, in the quarterfinals. Bopanna and Ebden, now the highest-seeded pair in the men’s doubles competition, have proven themselves against formidable opponents, securing a praiseworthy victory against the former top-ranked doubles pair in the world.
Notably, this triumph has not only propelled the 43-year-old Bopanna and Ebden further in the tournament but has also led to a career-high doubles ranking of No.2 for Bopanna. His resurgence in form and the duo’s cohesive performance mark them as strong contenders in the Australian Open men’s doubles, setting the stage for an exciting quarterfinal clash.
As they gear up to face Gonzalez and Molteni, Bopanna and Ebden carry the momentum of their recent success, showcasing the spirit of collaboration and determination that defines elite doubles play. Tennis enthusiasts eagerly await their next match, anticipating more captivating moments from this formidable Indo-Australian pairing.