Veteran Indian tennis star Rohan Bopanna and his Australian partner Matthew Ebden have stormed into the quarterfinals of the men’s doubles event at the prestigious Paris Masters. The Indo-Australian duo displayed their prowess on Tuesday, overcoming the challenge of the Brazilian-German pair of Marcelo Melo and Alexander Zverev in a hard-fought encounter.
The match, which lasted for one hour and 16 minutes, saw Bopanna and Ebden dominate with their first serve, winning an impressive 91 percent of points. They also unleashed four aces throughout the match. The third-seeded Indo-Australian duo seized the initiative early on, securing a crucial break in the first game to take the opening set 6-4.
In the second set, Bopanna and Ebden faced a stern test as Melo and Zverev fought back. The reigning Australian Open champions had a chance to break their opponents in the fifth game, but the Brazilian-German duo held firm, forcing the set into a tie-breaker.
However, Bopanna and Ebden remained composed in the tie-breaker, showcasing their experience and resilience. They ultimately emerged victorious, winning the second set 7-6 and securing their place in the quarterfinals.
This victory marks another milestone for Bopanna and Ebden, who have enjoyed a successful season together. Earlier this week, they clinched a spot in the prestigious season-ending ATP Finals, a testament to their consistent performances throughout the year.
As they advance to the quarterfinals of the Paris Masters, Bopanna and Ebden will face a formidable challenge in the form of the top-seeded pair of Nikola Mektic and Mate Pavic. The Croatian duo has been in impressive form this season, winning multiple titles, including the Wimbledon and US Open championships.
Despite the tough task ahead, Bopanna and Ebden will be confident in their abilities. They have proven their mettle against some of the best doubles teams in the world and will be determined to continue their impressive run at the Paris Masters.