Veteran Indian tennis player Rohan Bopanna, alongside his Australian partner Matthew Ebden, faced a tough quarterfinal defeat at the Paris Masters in the men’s doubles competition. The third-seeded duo battled for one hour and 46 minutes before succumbing to the Dutch-Croatian pair of Wesley Koolhof and Nikola Mektic, losing 6-7, 5-7 in a closely contested match on Friday.
The first set was fiercely competitive, with both teams showcasing their skills. Bopanna and Ebden fought hard, but despite having several opportunities, they couldn’t convert on crucial points. The set ultimately went to a tiebreak, where Koolhof and Mektic displayed resilience, saving set points to clinch the set and take a 1-0 lead in the match.
The second set continued in the same vein, with neither team able to gain a significant advantage. However, the turning point came in the 12th game when Bopanna and Ebden suffered a setback due to a double fault, allowing Koolhof and Mektic to break serve and seal the match.
Despite the disappointment of the quarterfinal exit, the week had its positives for Bopanna and Ebden, as they secured a spot in the prestigious season-ending ATP Finals earlier in the week. Their performance throughout the tournament has been commendable, but they will be looking to regroup and address the missed opportunities in their match against Koolhof and Mektic.
As the ATP Finals approach, the Indo-Australian duo will aim to build on their achievements and strive for success on a bigger stage. Their quarterfinal exit at the Paris Masters serves as a reminder of the competitive nature of the tour and the fine margins that often decide matches at this level.