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India’s Rohan Bopanna and partner Matthew Ebden reach the Australian Open men’s doubles tennis final, beating the pair of Thomas Machac and Zhang Zhishen in a thrilling three-set semi-final. The Bopanna-Ebden pair comfortably won the first set 6-3 before losing the second 3-6. The third set saw both pairs giving their best, reaching the tiebreaker. Bopanna and Ebden held their nerve to win the tiebreaker 10-7. In the process of reaching the final, Bopanna broke his own record of being the oldest man in a Grand Slam final.
It is the first time that Bopanna has reached the final of the Australian Open. In the last Grand Slam he played in (US Open 2023), Bopanna and Ebden had also reached the final.
The second-seeded Indo-Australian pair faced stiff resistance from their rivals in the third set, but ultimately the experience of playing Super Tie Breakers helped them finish with a score of 6-3, 3-6, 7-6 (10-7) after two hours and two minutes.
A day after ensuring he became the world’s number one player, Bopanna, as always, served well on the important points and also managed to deliver the shots and tricks when needed the most.
Bopanna has reached the US Open final twice (2013, 2023), but a major trophy has eluded him in his career.
Now, at the end of his career at the age of 43, he will have a chance to check that box on Saturday.
Previously, Bopanna, due to his exceptional form, secured the world number one ranking in men’s doubles tennis. Alongside Matthew Ebden, the 43-year-old reached the semi-finals of the Australian Open for the first time in his long career.
In an interview with Sony Sports Network, Bopanna said that after being there in the sport, it was “absolutely amazing.” He added that Indian tennis needed this victory.
“It feels absolutely amazing and incredible to be where I am today, especially after 20 years of being in the sport and constantly trying to reach the highest level. Indian tennis needed this. While watching sports, there were always idols growing up and someone” Who inspired you? I hope reaching the number one position inspires someone at home. With all the support I have received in the last two decades, this is something I have to give back to the entire nation,” Bopanna had said.
With PTI inputs
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