Rohan Bopanna and Matthew Ebden
triumphed in a hard-fought three-set match, earning a spot in the men’s doubles
final at the Australian Open. The Indo-Aussie duo displayed resilience to
overcome ZZ Zhang and Tomas Machac with a final score of 6-3, 3-6, 7-6 at the
Rod Laver Arena on Thursday.
Bopanna and Ebden dominated the initial
set, securing a 6-3 victory over their Chinese and Czech opponents. However,
Zhang and Machac mounted a strong comeback in the second set, claiming it 3-6.
In a tense battle, Bopanna and Ebden fought back in the third set, winning it
7-6 and cementing their place in the Australian Open final.
This achievement follows their success
at the 2023 US Open, where they also reached the final. The dynamic pair
showcased their prowess, particularly in Grand Slam events.
Moreover, Rohan Bopanna, the 43-year-old
Indian tennis star, added another feather to his cap by becoming the oldest
World No. 1 in the ATP rankings. This milestone was achieved after a remarkable
victory in the men’s doubles quarterfinals, where they defeated the Argentinian
duo of Maximo Gonzalez and Andres Molteni with a score of 6-4, 7-6 (5) on
Wednesday.
Surpassing Rajeev Ram’s record, Bopanna’s
ascent to the top ranking at the age of 43 is a testament to his enduring skill
and commitment to the sport. The Indian-Australian partnership continues to
make waves in the tennis world, leaving fans eagerly anticipating their
performance in the Australian Open men’s doubles final.
