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Indian tennis star Rohan Bopanna scripted a historic milestone by storming into the semi-finals of the Australian Open 2024's men's doubles event on January 23. Alongside his Australian partner Matthew Ebden, Bopanna secured a spot in the semi-finals with a straight-sets victory over the Argentine duo of Maximo Gonzalez and Andres Molteni on Wednesday. This quarter-final triumph at the Australian Open will elevate Bopanna to the World No. 1 ranking in men's doubles at the age of 43.
Continuously improving with age, Bopanna entered the Australian Open ranked a career-high No. 3. Now, the experienced Indian player is set to claim the No. 1 spot in the next ranking update. His partner, Mathew Ebden, who has formed one of the most successful duos with Bopanna, is also on track to attain the No. 2 ranking in men's doubles.
Rohan Bopanna and Mathew Ebden secured their ascent in the ATP Rankings following a victory over the 6th seeded duo of Maximo Gonzalez and Andres Molteni. The pair triumphed 6-4, 7-6 (5) in a men's doubles quarter-final match at the Australian Open on Wednesday, lasting one hour and 46 minutes.
The match initially commenced on Court 3 but had to be relocated to the larger Margaret Court Arena due to issues with the court's condition—specifically, bubbles causing uneven bounce. The switch to the iconic Margaret Court Arena occurred after just three games.
Bopanna, aiming for his first-ever Grand Slam title in men's doubles, reached the Australian Open semi-final for the first time, propelled by his outstanding partnership with Ebden. The second-seeded team of Bopanna and Ebden will go up against the unseeded duo of Tomas Machac and Zhizhen Zhang in the semi-finals. This Czech Republic-China team made headlines by defeating the 3rd seeded and US Open champions Rajeev Ram and Joe Salisbury in the second round earlier in the tournament in Melbourne.
Bopanna's blitz in quarterfinal
Rohan Bopanna and Mathew Ebden showcased a flawless game in the first set, not losing a single serve on Wednesday morning. The Indo-Australian duo, who had a sluggish start and faced tough challenges in the earlier rounds in Melbourne, were completely focused and aggressive, seizing every chance to challenge the Argentine team. They were behind 1-2 when the match shifted to the Margaret Court Arena, where they quickly adapted to the larger space. Dominating with 84 percent of first serve points won in the initial set, the pair clinched it 6-4.
The synergy between Bopanna and Ebden was clear, with excellent communication and some brilliant plays. Bopanna was outstanding with his service, striking delightful winners with both his forehand and backhand from the back of the court.
Maximo Gonzalez and Andres Molteni improved steadily, not losing a game in the second set and pushing the match to a tie-breaker.
In the crucial tie-breaker, Bopanna and Ebden overcame a double mini-break deficit, rallying back to snatch three consecutive points from 4-5, clinching the set and the match. Their composure under pressure was key, edging them closer to their dream.
Journey to World no.1 for Bopanna
Rohan Bopanna and Mathew Ebden have emerged as one of the most formidable pairs in the circuit, maintaining consistent form over the past year. Their journey to the US Open 2023 final marked their most impressive Grand Slam performance to date.
The duo started the 2023 season with a triumph at the Qatar Open in February, where their remarkable coordination and skill led them to victory. This success was followed by a landmark win at the Indian Wells tournament in March, where Bopanna gained attention as the oldest player to win an ATP Masters 1000 title, affirming his ongoing excellence and vigor in tennis.
Their skillful play took them to the Wimbledon semi-finals in July, further proving their consistent and resilient nature. While they didn't win the title, their path to the semi-finals was a significant achievement in their 2023 campaign.
Bopanna and Ebden continued to impress throughout the year, showcasing their extraordinary capabilities and resolve. Their journey also included a notable appearance at the ATP Finals, where they made it to the semi-finals before being eliminated.
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