French Open 2024: Rohan Bopanna-Matthew Ebden survive Brazilian scare to roll into second round after nail-biter

India's Rohan Bopanna (left) and Australia's Matthew Ebden in this frame. (X)
India's Rohan Bopanna (left) and Australia's Matthew Ebden in this frame. (X)

Highlights:

Indo-Australian duo of Rohan Bopann and Matthew Ebden has advanced to the second round of the French Open 2024.

Rohan Bopann and Matthew Ebden got the better of Brazilian duo with a scoreline of 7-5, 4-6, 6-4.

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.

 

ALSO READ: Team India nowhere to be seen as Adam Gilchrist, Michael Vaughan predict T20 World Cup 2024 champions and runners-up

 

 

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.

 

ALSO READ: 'Guys could feel that on hamstring and calves': Rahul Dravid reveals New York's brand new ground may lead to injuries

 

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.

 

ALSO READ: Real Madrid beat Borussia Dortmund to win record-extending 15th Champions League title as Toni Kroos hangs his boots in style

 

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.

 

MORE ON SPORTS TAK:

'Don't even want to watch World Cup...': Riyan Parag's bizarre answer on being asked to name top 4 in T20 WC 2024

Big blow to Bangladesh, pacer gets six stitches on bowling hand after warm-up game against India

'I don't really have an answer to that question and I don't make those decisions': Mitchell Marsh on lack of gap between IPL and T20 World Cup 2024

USA's Aaron Jones surpasses legends like Virat Kohli, breaks nearly 17-year-old T20 World Cup record with unbeaten 94 in run chase vs Canada