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Second seeds Rohan Bopanna and Matthew Ebden narrowly defeated Brazilians Orlando Luz and Marcelo Zormann in a challenging three-set match during the French Open's opening round on Sunday, June 2.
Rohan Bopanna, Matthew Ebden toil hard to make 2nd round
The Brazilian duo posed a significant challenge for the Australian Open winners, who eked out a victory with scores of 7-5, 4-6, 6-4 over two hours and seven minutes. Despite entering as the eighth alternate pair, Zormann and Luz, benefiting from multiple withdrawals, almost caused an upset against the higher-seeded pair. However, Bopanna and Ebden utilized their experience to turn the tide at pivotal moments in the match. The second seeds quickly took a 4-1 lead with a double break, but the Brazilians fought back, winning four consecutive games to level the first set at 5-5.
Following this, the Indo-Australian pair managed to break Luz's serve, with Bopanna delivering powerful returns from the baseline and Ebden contributing with precise volley winners. Ebden then comfortably served out the set.
Zormann was broken in the very first game of the second set during an intense baseline rally with Ebden, where the Brazilian made a critical error at 30-40, giving the seeded pair the upper hand. The drama intensified when Bopanna faced a 0-40 deficit. He managed to save the first two break points with precise serving, but Zormann hit a decisive winner on the third to level the score.
Ebden's serve was then tested in a grueling fourth game, which lasted nine minutes and went to six deuces before the Australian secured the game with an overhead smash.
Pressure mounted on Ebden again as he served in the eighth game, starting with a double fault and following up with a forehand that hit the net.
Luz executed a sharp volley winner on the next point, creating numerous break opportunities. The second seeds saved the initial break point, but another double fault from Ebden allowed the Brazilians to take a 5-3 lead. Luz then served for the set, facing four set points but was thwarted by Bopanna’s outstanding play, both at the net and from the baseline, allowing the second seeds to break back.
Nonetheless, Bopanna’s serve was broken for the third time, leveling the match at one set apiece. A crucial break in the fifth game of the final set gave Bopanna and Ebden the lead, which they maintained, with Bopanna sealing the match.
Meanwhile, in the second round, Bopanna and Ebden are set to face Thiago Seyboth Wild and Sebastian Baez.
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