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The top-seeded Indo-Australian duo of Rohan Bopanna and Mathew Ebden exited the ATP Mutua Madrid Open after a shocking defeat in the first round against the unheralded pairing of Sebastian Korda and Jordan Thompson in Madrid on April 30. Reigning champions of the Australian Open, India’s Bopanna and his Australian partner Ebden were defeated 7-6 (4), 7-5 in the match that lasted one hour and 17 minutes. It was the first time, the duo of American Sebastian Korda and his Australian partner Jordan Thompson matched Bopanna and Ebden shot for shot. It was a closely contesting battle between them in the Madrid Masters.
Rohan Bopanna and Mathew Ebden stunned in 1st round
Korda and Thompson displayed a formidable service game and managed to save the only break point they conceded in the opening set. Despite Bopanna and Ebden's efforts, they clinched the first set in the tie-breaker.
Indo-Australian duo failed to exert pressure
Korda and Thomson’s confidence led them to break Bopanna and Ebden once out of four chances that came their way. However, the top seeds failed to apply significant pressure and faced an early exit from the clay-court tournament.
Notably, Bopanna and his Australian partner have had a successful streak as they won the Indian Wells Masters title last year, which made the 43-year-old Indian the oldest-ever ATP Masters 1000 champion. Apart from this, the duo reached the men’s doubles semi-finals at Wimbledon and the final of the US Open in the same season. Earlier this year, Bopanna also became the oldest world no. 1 in doubles following their triumph at the Australian Open.
“I think it's just going to inspire a lot of people. I don't think just in tennis. People all over the world, being 40 and above, I think it's just going to inspire them in a different way,” Bopanna said after becoming the oldest world no. 1 in men’s tennis.
At the start of the 2023 season, Bopanna was ranked 19 in the doubles ATP chart. In 2022, he struggled with a knee injury and pulled out from multiple events including the Davis Cup. However, he has been in top form since his recovery.
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