Tennis

India's Yuki Bhambri and Albano Olivetti have made history at the US Open, advancing to the men's doubles third round with a hard-fought victory over 15th seeds Austin Krajicek and Jean-Julien Roger. The Indo-French pair overcame the USA-Dutch team 4-6, 6-3, 7-5 in a thrilling encounter that lasted two hours and five minutes.This marks only the second time Bhambri has reached the third round of a Grand Slam, having achieved the same feat at the Australian Open in 2014. The victory is a testament to the duo's determination and skill, as they battled through a challenging match to secure their place in the next round.Meanwhile, second seeds Rohan Bopanna and Matthew Ebden also progressed to the third round with a comfortable 6-2, 6-4 win over Spain's Roberto Carballes Baena and Federico Coria from Argentina. Bopanna's success extended to the mixed doubles, where he and Indonesian partner Aldila Sutjiadi defeated Germany's Tim Puetz and Dutch player Demi Schuurs 7-6 (7), 7-6 (5) in the opening round.However, N Sriram Balaji and his Argentine partner Guido Andreozzi's US Open journey came to an end in the second round. The Indo-Argentine pair lost 6-7 (4), 4-6 to Michael Venus of New Zealand and Neal Skupski of Great Britain. Despite a valiant effort, Balaji and Andreozzi were unable to capitalize on their lone opportunity for a service break, while their opponents converted one of their seven break points.Reflecting on his campaign, Balaji expressed his satisfaction with his performance and highlighted the importance of consistency and improvement. "The first step is to consistently play at this level. It's starting from here. Now the next step is to get my ranking higher slowly," he said. "Game wise I'm feeling confident and moving in the right direction."

Rohan Bopanna, India's veteran doubles specialist, bid farewell to his illustrious international career with a first-round exit at the Paris Olympics. Partnering with N Sriram Balaji, Bopanna succumbed to the French duo of Edouard Roger-Vasselin and Gael Monfils in a thrilling encounter.Despite the disappointing result, Bopanna expressed contentment with his 22-year-long journey representing India. He acknowledged that an Olympic medal had eluded Indian tennis since Leander Paes' historic bronze in 1996, but he remained proud of his contributions."This will definitely go down as my last event for the country," Bopanna declared, ruling out any participation in the 2026 Asian Games. He had previously announced his retirement from the Davis Cup.Reflecting on his career highlights, Bopanna singled out his fifth-rubber victory against Ricardo Mello in the 2010 Davis Cup tie against Brazil as his most memorable moment. He also cherished his Grand Slam doubles triumph and his rise to world No. 1.Bopanna expressed gratitude to his wife, Supriya, for her unwavering support throughout his journey. He hinted at a potential future involvement in the administration of the All India Tennis Association (AITA).Regarding Sunday's match, Bopanna acknowledged the impact of Monfils' presence on the court. "He told me it was the best doubles match he's played," Bopanna said. "He was hitting the ball extremely heavy."Despite the loss, Bopanna praised Balaji's performance, noting that he played "extremely well" despite some crucial lapses.The Indian duo faced a passionate crowd supporting the French players, but Bopanna commended their respectful behavior during the match. "I don't think I've played in this kind of atmosphere even in Davis Cup in India," he remarked.

India's tennis campaign at the Paris Olympics ended abruptly on Sunday, with Sumit Nagal and the men's doubles pair of Rohan Bopanna and N Sriram Balaji suffering opening-round defeats to French challengers.Nagal, making his second Olympic appearance, fell 2-6, 6-4, 5-7 to Corentin Moutet in a hard-fought battle. Despite a strong start, Nagal struggled to maintain his momentum against Moutet's unpredictable style of play, which included underarm serves and effective use of drop shots and slices.In the doubles match, Bopanna and Balaji went down 5-7, 2-6 to Edouard Roger-Vasselin and Gael Monfils. The French duo, buoyed by the partisan crowd, dominated the baseline exchanges and denied Balaji opportunities to finish at the net.Bopanna, 44, hinted that this could be his last multi-sport event for India, having already announced his retirement from Davis Cup.Nagal and Moutet have a history of close matches, with three of their last four encounters going to three sets. Nagal had the upper hand in their most recent meeting in April, but Moutet proved too strong on this occasion.The Indian team's exit marks the end of their Olympic tennis campaign, with India having won only one Olympic medal in the sport, a bronze by Leander Paes in 1996.

N. Sriram Balaji, the soft-spoken tennis player, is determined to make the most of his opportunity at the Paris Olympics. Chosen as Rohan Bopanna's partner, Balaji is eager to prove his worth and avoid disappointing his senior.Balaji's journey to the Olympics has been a long one. Despite years of toil on the ATP tour, he had to wait until the age of 34 for his chance to represent India in the Davis Cup. Now, with the biggest stage of all before him, the Coimbatore player is determined to make a mark."More than a player, I would like to be the best person on the court and off the court as well," Balaji said. "I never thought about (playing) the Olympics."Balaji's humility and desire to excel have impressed Bopanna, who has been a great mentor to the younger player. Even when Balaji makes mistakes, Bopanna remains supportive and encouraging."He wants to do everything perfectly, and Rohan is a great mentor," said Balachandran, the Indian tennis team's traveling coach. "Even if Balaji makes a mistake, or if he does not do well in practice sets, Rohan would not say much to Bala. Even if he is annoyed, he won't show."The Indian team, with a combined age of 78, faces a tough challenge in Paris. The field is star-studded, featuring the Spanish duo of Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz, among others. Balachandran believes that the team's performance in the opening match will be crucial."For me, the first match is the key," Balachandran said. "After that, every team is beatable. I will keep my fingers crossed for them to get through the first match, then I will put my money on them."The Indian team will open their campaign against the French duo of Fabien Reboul and Edouard Roger-Vasselin. The coach is hopeful that the prevailing hot conditions will work in their favor."Compared to the usual clay court tournament, here right now the conditions with the ball and the weather are a little faster," Balachandran said. "The ball is also traveling faster, which for our boys is the best condition."

Indian tennis star Sumit Nagal has commenced his campaign at the Nordea Open with a resounding victory over Elias Ymer. Nagal, ranked 68th in the ATP singles chart, overcame the Swede wild card in straight sets, 6-4, 6-3. This triumph marks Nagal's first win against Ymer, who had previously defeated him twice.Nagal's victory is a testament to his recent resurgence. He has been in impressive form, showcasing his skills and determination on the court. His triumph over Ymer, who has enjoyed success in India, further solidifies his status as India's top singles player.Nagal's next challenge will be against world number 36 Mariano Navone from Argentina. This match promises to be a thrilling encounter, as both players are known for their aggressive style of play. Nagal will be eager to continue his winning streak and secure a spot in the next round.Meanwhile, Rohan Bopanna and N Sriram Balaji, who will represent India in men's doubles at the Paris Olympics, are set to make their ATP Tour debut as a pair. They will face the German duo of Mark Wallner and Jakob Schnaitter in the opening round of the Hamburg Open, an ATP 500 event. This tournament will provide them with valuable experience and preparation for the upcoming Olympics.

Rohan Bopanna, the veteran Indian tennis player, is gearing up for his final Olympic hurrah in Paris. Despite not having the strongest of partners, Bopanna is confident in his pairing with N Sriram Balaji, believing they have the potential to challenge the top teams.Bopanna, 44, had to choose between Balaji and Yuki Bhambri for the men's doubles event at the Paris Olympics. After consulting his coaches, he opted for Balaji, citing his athleticism and agility on clay courts."I really believe that when we go out there, we genuinely have a chance to win every match, whoever we play against," Bopanna said. "It's not like we're just going to be written off."Bopanna's confidence stems from Balaji's impressive performances on the ATP Tour. Balaji has defeated top-10 players Rajeev Ram and Austin Krajicek, and has shown adaptability by playing singles in the Davis Cup tie against Pakistan."Balaji definitely has the firepower to do well," Bopanna said. "He's more agile and explosive on clay, which is the surface we'll be playing on."Bopanna acknowledged that it was a difficult choice between Balaji and Bhambri, but he believes Balaji is the better fit for the clay surface."Bala has similar capabilities as Matthew Ebden, who I'm playing with on the Tour," Bopanna said. "Bala is fast and quick, but Ebden has more experience. Bala hasn't played at that level much."In Paris, Bopanna will have to take on the leadership role, as he has done in the past with illustrious teammates like Leander Paes, Mahesh Bhupathi, and Sania Mirza."There is nobody currently in the country who has played that kind of experience as Matthew Ebden," Bopanna said. "So, no matter who I played with on the country, it would be the same scenario."Bopanna and Balaji plan to compete in a couple of ATP events, starting with the Hamburg Open, to prepare for the Olympics."We want to get to know each other better and try to prepare better than what we have done before," Bopanna said.Bopanna and Balaji are not just aiming to participate in the Olympics; they believe they have a chance to medal."Every athlete who goes into Olympics wants to win a medal," Bopanna said. "There is 100 percent that belief. We want to do better than the previous time. That's how life is. You want to do better. You want to keep going higher and higher."

The Wimbledon Championships, the oldest and most prestigious Grand Slam tournament in tennis, recently concluded its 137th edition at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club (AELTC). The tournament witnessed thrilling matches and memorable moments, with Barbora Krejcikova and Carlos Alcaraz emerging as the women's and men's singles champions, respectively.AELTC, in its efforts to popularize tennis in India, partnered with Star Sports to broadcast the matches with Hindi commentary. This initiative aims to make the tournament more accessible to Indian fans and inspire a new generation of players.Indian tennis star Ankita Raina, who has played at Wimbledon in the past, spoke about the significance of this initiative. She believes that it will have a positive impact on the sport in India, as it will introduce the tournament to a wider audience and showcase the achievements of Indian players.Raina also highlighted the importance of individual performances by Indian players, such as Rohan Bopanna and Sumit Nagal, in inspiring fellow players. She believes that their success at the highest level has motivated other Indian players to pursue their tennis dreams.The Wimbledon Championships holds a special place in the hearts of tennis fans worldwide. Its rich history, tradition, and unique rules, such as the requirement to wear all white, make it an iconic event. For Indian fans, the Hindi commentary will enhance their understanding and appreciation of the tournament.Raina's own experience at Wimbledon has been unforgettable. She cherishes the opportunity to play on the hallowed courts and compete against the world's best players. She believes that the tournament is a dream come true for any tennis player.The Wimbledon Championships offer fans an unforgettable sporting experience. The tournament showcases the highest level of tennis, featuring some of the world's most talented players. With the addition of Hindi commentary, Indian fans will now have a more immersive and engaging experience, further fueling their passion for the sport.

Rohan Bopanna and his Australian partner Matthew Ebden suffered a disappointing exit from the Wimbledon men's doubles tournament in the second round. The second-seeded duo fell to unseeded German pair Hendrick Jebens and Constantin Frantzen in straight sets, 3-6, 6-7 (4), on Saturday in London.The match began with Bopanna and Ebden conceding a break in the first set, which proved costly as Jebens and Frantzen held on to their advantage to take the set 6-3. The second set was a more closely contested affair, with both teams holding serve until the tie-breaker.However, the German duo seized control in the tie-breaker, racing out to a 4-1 lead. Bopanna and Ebden were unable to recover, and Jebens and Frantzen sealed the victory with a 7-4 win in the tie-breaker.The match was briefly suspended due to rain when the second set was level at five games. Upon resumption, the momentum shifted in favor of the German pair, who capitalized on their strong serve and aggressive play.Bopanna and Ebden, who won the Australian Open doubles title earlier this year, were hoping to make a deep run at Wimbledon. However, their hopes were dashed by the unseeded German duo, who played with impressive consistency and determination.

Indian tennis star Sumit Nagal has secured his spot in the men's singles event at the upcoming Paris 2024 Olympics. This will mark Nagal's second Olympic appearance, following his debut at Tokyo 2020.Nagal's qualification was confirmed by the International Tennis Federation (ITF) through their entry list released on July 4. The men's and women's singles events at the Paris Olympics will feature 64 players each. The top 56 eligible men's singles players, based on ATP Rankings as of June 10, secured quotas for their countries, with a maximum of four quotas available per nation.Despite being ranked 77th at the time the qualifying window closed, Nagal managed to secure a quota spot due to the withdrawal of several higher-ranked players and the fact that multiple players from certain nations were ahead of him in the rankings.Nagal's rise to prominence has been remarkable. He broke into the top 100 for the first time in January 2023 after winning the Chennai Open. A subsequent ATP Challenger title win in Germany helped him jump 18 places to number 77 and earn a ticket to Paris.Nagal will be joined by Rohan Bopanna, who will also partner with N Sriram Balaji in the men's doubles competition. Bopanna, ranked fourth in the world in men's doubles, secured his Olympic quota easily. The men's and women's doubles events will feature 32 teams each, with a maximum of two teams per nation.Both Bopanna and Balaji are currently competing at Wimbledon 2024. They will later head to Hamburg and Umaag for ATP 500 events ahead of the Paris Olympics.Nagal's qualification for the Olympics is a testament to his hard work and determination. He will be hoping to make a strong impact in Paris and represent India with pride.