In a high-stakes contest that kept fans on the edge of their seats, India's tennis star Rohan Bopanna and his Australian partner Matthew Ebden earned their place in the men's doubles quarterfinals at the US Open. The sixth-seeded Indo-Australian team emerged victorious after a grueling three-set face-off against the formidable British duo of Julian Cash and Henry Patten. Held at the renowned Arthur Ashe Stadium this past Sunday, the match captivated audiences for a lengthy two hours and 22 minutes before culminating in a win with the scoreline of 6-4, 6-7(5), 7-6(10-6).
Notably, Bopanna and Ebden have been in sublime form this year, having already reached the semifinals at Wimbledon. Their compelling performance at the US Open further attests to their prowess on the court. The pair unleashed 13 aces and secured an impressive 81% of points on their first serve, showcasing a level of play that was both strategic and dominant.
They now move ahead to confront the winners of another highly-anticipated third-round match. Their next opponents will either be the top-seeded team of Wesley Koolhof from the Netherlands and the UK's Neal Skupski or the American pair of Nathaniel Lammons and Jackson Withrow. Regardless of who they face, expectations are high that Bopanna and Ebden will continue to shine, especially given their current form.
Interestingly, Rohan Bopanna, who is 43 years old, remains the lone Indian contender in the men's doubles category of the tournament. Earlier participants Yuki Bhambri and Saketh Myneni made first-round exits, leaving Bopanna as India's sole flag-bearer in this category. However, it hasn't been an entirely smooth run for the seasoned player. While he continues to succeed in men's doubles, he fell short in the mixed doubles event. Partnering with Indonesian Aldila Sutjiadi, Bopanna lost in the second round to the American duo of Ben Shelton and Taylor Townsend with a score of 2-6, 5-7.
In summary, the ongoing US Open has been a stage for both triumph and setback for Rohan Bopanna. As he moves forward alongside Matthew Ebden in the men's doubles, tennis aficionados are keenly observing how far this talented duo will go in one of the sport's most prestigious events. With their remarkable victory, Bopanna and Ebden have not only secured their spot in the quarterfinals but also fueled hopes for an even deeper run in the tournament.
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(With PTI inputs, powered by AI)
