Tennis

Rohan Bopanna and Matthew Ebden, the reigning Australian Open men's doubles champions, have announced their split after two successful years as a team. The duo, who first joined forces in January 2023, ended their partnership with a victory over Germany's Kevin Krawietz and Tim Puetz in their final group match of the ATP Finals 2024.During their partnership, Bopanna and Ebden achieved remarkable success, capturing three major titles: the Australian Open grand slam in 2023, the ATP Masters 1000 titles at Indian Wells 2023, and the Miami Open 2024. They also triumphed at the Qatar Open in 2023 and reached the final of the US Open in the same year. Their impressive performances propelled them to the top of the doubles rankings following their Australian Open triumph.Reflecting on their partnership, Ebden expressed gratitude for their accomplishments. "To finish on a win and at least get one win here at the ATP Finals, I think was fitting or deserving maybe. It was really nice to share one more big moment," he said.Ebden revealed that the duo had initially planned to part ways last year but decided to continue their partnership for the 2024 season. He praised Bopanna's dedication and commitment, particularly at the age of 44.Bopanna, for his part, will reunite with his former Croatian partner, Ivan Dodig, for the 2025 tennis season. Dodig, who is 39 years old, has also enjoyed a successful doubles career, winning multiple grand slam titles.The split between Bopanna and Ebden marks the end of a successful partnership that brought them numerous accolades and memorable moments. Both players have expressed their gratitude for their time together and wish each other well in their future endeavors.

India's Rohan Bopanna and Australia's Matthew Ebden concluded their successful partnership with a dramatic victory over Kevin Krawietz and Tim Puetz in their final group match of the ATP Finals in Turin on Friday. The Indian-Australian duo triumphed 7-5, 6-7(6), 10-7, capping off their 2024 season with a thrilling win.Despite being eliminated from semifinal contention after two earlier losses, Bopanna and Ebden displayed unwavering intensity. They played with composure, even during a tense second-set tie-break where they squandered two match points. However, the pair demonstrated resilience, eventually sealing the win in a Match Tie-break after a 1-hour, 42-minute clash.The victory was highlighted by Bopanna and Ebden's serving prowess, as they combined for 14 aces. This win also leveled their ATP head-to-head record with Krawietz and Puetz at 2-2, adding a positive note to the end of their partnership.Bopanna and Ebden's partnership, which began in January 2023, has been highly successful. Together, they won four tour-level titles, including the prestigious Australian Open this year, and both reached No. 1 in the ATP Doubles Rankings at different points during their time together.For Krawietz and Puetz, the loss was bittersweet. Despite the defeat, the German pair's 2-1 record in group play means they will progress to the semifinals on their ATP Finals debut. The outcome of their group will be determined after the result of the evening's match between Marcelo Arevalo/Mate Pavic and Simone Bolelli/Andrea Vavassori, which will decide whether Krawietz and Puetz finish first or second in the Bob Bryan Group.

Rohan Bopanna and Matthew Ebden's hopes of reaching the semifinals at the ATP Finals 2024 have been dashed after their second consecutive defeat. The Indo-Aussie duo succumbed to the top-seeded pair of Marcelo Arevalo and Mate Pavic in a 68-minute contest, placing them at the bottom of the Bob Bryan group.This tournament marks the end of Bopanna and Ebden's two-year partnership. They had earlier lost their opening match to Simone Bolelli and Andrea Vavassori. Their chances of advancing to the semifinals are now slim, as they face Kevin Krawietz and Tim Putz in their final group-stage match.Despite a mid-season slump, Bopanna and Ebden earned their spot in the ATP Finals by reaching the semifinals at Roland Garros. Bopanna made history in January by becoming the oldest player to reach World No. 1 at the age of 43. He has twice won the prestigious season-ending event.Meanwhile, Carlos Alcaraz opened his account at the ATP Finals with a thrilling win over Andrey Rublev. The world number three looked in much better form despite struggling with fatigue and illness in the lead-up to the match. Alcaraz's victory boosts his hopes of reaching the semi-finals.

Rohan Bopanna and Matthew Ebden Bow Out of Paris Masters in QuarterfinalsIndian tennis veteran Rohan Bopanna and his Australian partner Matthew Ebden's impressive run at the Paris Masters came to an end in the quarterfinals after a hard-fought defeat to the Dutch-Croatian duo of Wesley Koolhof and Nikola Mektic.The third-seeded Indo-Australian pair battled for one hour and 46 minutes before succumbing 6-7, 5-7 in a closely contested match at the ATP 1000 event on Friday.The first set was a nail-biter, with both teams trading blows and the scoreline remaining tight. Bopanna and Ebden had their chances, but Koolhof and Mektic displayed resilience to save set points and eventually clinch the tiebreaker 8-6.The second set followed a similar pattern, with neither pair able to gain a decisive advantage. However, Bopanna and Ebden faltered at a crucial moment, double faulting in the 12th game to hand Koolhof and Mektic the break they needed to seal the set 7-5.Despite the disappointing result, Bopanna and Ebden can take solace in their strong performance throughout the tournament. Earlier this week, they secured a spot in the prestigious season-ending ATP Finals, a testament to their consistent form.

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.

Rohan Bopanna, India's premier doubles player, has secured a spot in the prestigious season-ending ATP Finals alongside his Australian partner Matthew Ebden. This marks Bopanna's fourth appearance in the tournament, a testament to his exceptional skills and longevity in the sport.The Indo-Aussie duo clinched their place after Nathaniel Lammons and Jackson Withrow were eliminated at the Rolex Paris Masters, finalizing the 2024 field. Joining Bopanna and Ebden in Turin's elite line-up are Wesley Koolhof/Nikola Mektic, Kevin Krawietz/Tim Puetz, Harri Heliovaara/Henry Patten, Marcelo Arevalo/Mate Pavic, Marcel Granollers/Horacio Zeballos, Simone Bolelli/Andrea Vavassori, and Max Purcell/Jordan Thompson.The ATP Finals, scheduled for November 10-17 at the Inalpi Arena, feature only the top eight doubles teams globally. Bopanna and Ebden have had a remarkable season, starting with a triumph at the Australian Open, where Bopanna became the oldest man at 43 years, 331 days to become a world No. 1. They also won the Miami Open and reached the final in Adelaide and the semi-finals at Roland Garros.This is the second consecutive year that Bopanna and Ebden have qualified for the ATP Finals. In 2023, they reached the semi-finals in Turin before being defeated by Granollers and Zeballos. For Bopanna, this event holds special significance as he aims to capture his maiden ATP Finals title. He previously finished as the finalist in 2012 with Mahesh Bhupathi and again in 2015 alongside Florin Mergea.Bopanna's ATP Finals journey began in 2011 with Aisam-Ul-Haq Qureshi. His experience and determination will be crucial as he and Ebden strive to make a deep run in Turin and challenge for the coveted title.

The Tennis Premier League (TPL), a highly anticipated tennis tournament, has announced its player auction results, with Rohan Bopanna and Sumit Nagal emerging as key acquisitions for the Delhi Tigers and Gujarat Panthers, respectively.The auction, held on Wednesday, saw all eight participating teams select three leading players each. The remaining roster spots will be filled in due course for the TPL, scheduled to take place at the CCI courts in Mumbai from December 3 to 8.The TPL has attracted a star-studded lineup, including tennis legends Leander Paes, Mahesh Bhupathi, and Sania Mirza. Their presence at the auction added a touch of nostalgia and excitement to the proceedings. Bollywood celebrities Rakul Preet Singh and Sonali Bendre also graced the event, lending their glamour to the occasion."It was fantastic to see the tennis legends Leander Paes, Mahesh Bhupathi, and Sania Mirza gather together after so many years, to promote tennis in India and support the league," said Kunal Thakkur, one of the organizers.Mrunal Jain, co-founder of TPL, expressed his enthusiasm for the upcoming season, stating, "The TPL has got off to a memorable start with the auction and promises an exciting season ahead."The team rosters are as follows:* Bengal Wizards: Petra Matic, Sriram Balaji, Niki Poonacha* Hyderabad Strikers: Harriet Dart, Benjamin Lock, Vishnu Vardhan* Chennai Smashers: Hugo Gaston, Conny Perrin, Rithvik Bollipalli* Bengaluru SG Pipers: Max Purcell, Ankita Raina, Anirudh Chandrasekar* Mumbai Eagles: Jaqueline Cristian, Jeevan Nedunchezhiyan, Karan Singh* Gujarat Panthers: Sumit Nagal, Sahaja Yamalapalli, Vijay Sundar Prashanth* Delhi Tigers: Rohan Bopanna, Iryna Shymanovich, Aziz Dougaz* Punjab Patriots: Elina Avanesyan, Arjun Kadhe, S MukundThe TPL aims to provide a platform for Indian tennis players to showcase their skills and compete against international stars. The tournament is expected to generate significant interest among tennis enthusiasts and contribute to the growth of the sport in India.

The Tennis Premier League (TPL), a revolutionary tennis tournament, is set to host its sixth edition in Mumbai, India, in December. Among the star-studded lineup is former World Number 1 Rohan Bopanna, making his TPL debut.Bopanna, currently ranked sixth in men's doubles, is one of India's most celebrated tennis players. With two Grand Slam titles (Australian Open 2024 in men's doubles and French Open 2017 in mixed doubles) and three Olympic appearances, he holds the record for being the oldest player to become World No. 1.The TPL's unique 25-point format aims to revolutionize tennis. Each match between two franchises consists of men's singles, women's singles, mixed doubles, and men's doubles, with each category worth 25 points. The top four teams from the league stage qualify for the semi-finals.Bopanna's experience and skills will be invaluable to his team. He joins a roster that includes Sumit Nagal, Hugo Gaston, and Elina Avanesyan, all vying for the top prize at the iconic Cricket Club of India."I'm thrilled to be part of the Tennis Premier League, especially with its innovative 25-point format," said Bopanna. "Tournaments like the TPL inspire young players and contribute to grassroots development."Kunal Thakkur, Co-Founder of TPL, expressed his excitement about Bopanna's participation. "His presence will not only boost the sixth season of TPL but also motivate the other players," he said.Mrunal Jain, Co-Founder of TPL, added, "Rohan Bopanna is an icon of Indian tennis, and we are delighted to have him play in Season 6. We anticipate some exceptional matches with Rohan and the rest of the players."The TPL's innovative format and star-studded lineup promise an unforgettable tennis experience for fans in Mumbai and beyond.

Veteran Indian tennis star Rohan Bopanna and his Indonesian partner Aldila Sutjiadi have advanced to the semifinals of the US Open mixed doubles with a hard-fought victory over Australian Matthew Ebden and Barbora Krejcikova of the Czech Republic.The eighth-seeded Indian-Indonesian pair displayed resilience and determination in a thrilling quarterfinal match that lasted one hour and 33 minutes. After dropping the second set, Bopanna and Sutjiadi rallied back to secure a 7-6(4) 2-6 10-7 victory.Bopanna, 44, has been a formidable force in mixed doubles, having won the French Open title in 2017 with Gabriela Dabrowski. His experience and Sutjiadi's powerful serve proved to be a potent combination against the fourth-seeded Ebden and Krejcikova.In the first set, the match was evenly poised, with both teams trading breaks. However, Bopanna and Sutjiadi seized the initiative in the tiebreaker, winning it 7-4. The second set saw a resurgence from Ebden and Krejcikova, who broke Bopanna's serve twice to level the match.Undeterred, Bopanna and Sutjiadi regrouped in the decisive super tiebreaker. They played with renewed vigor, forcing errors from their opponents and capitalizing on their own opportunities. In the end, they emerged victorious with a 10-7 scoreline.Bopanna and Sutjiadi will now face American pair Donald Young and Taylor Townsend in the semifinals. The Indian veteran will be aiming to add another Grand Slam title to his impressive resume, while Sutjiadi will be looking to make history as the first Indonesian to reach a Grand Slam mixed doubles final.