In a hard-fought battle on Thursday (13), India's Rohan Bopanna and his Australian partner Matthew Ebden bid farewell to the men's doubles competition at Wimbledon. The duo succumbed to the top-seeded pair of Wesley Koolhof from the Netherlands and Neal Skupsk from Great Britain in straight sets during the semi-finals.
Despite their sixth seeding, Bopanna and Ebden showcased tremendous determination throughout the match, fighting relentlessly for one hour and 26 minutes. However, they couldn't overcome the formidable challenge posed by Koolhof and Skupsk, ultimately losing the match 5-7, 4-6.
While the defeat was disappointing for Bopanna and Ebden, it marked an extraordinary achievement for the 43-year-old Indian player. Bopanna, the sole representative from India at this year's Wimbledon, came agonizingly close to becoming the oldest Grand Slam champion across singles, doubles, and mixed doubles in the Open Era. Unfortunately, his quest fell short on this occasion.
Nevertheless, Bopanna and Ebden had much to be proud of during their Wimbledon campaign. In the quarterfinals, they showcased their fighting spirit by rallying from a set down to secure a thrilling victory over the Dutch pair of Tallon Griekspoor and Bart Stevens. The final scoreline read 6-7(3), 7-5, 6-2 in favor of Bopanna and Ebden, earning them a well-deserved spot in the semi-finals.
This year has been a fruitful one for Bopanna, who reached the Australian Open final earlier with his compatriot Sania Mirza. Additionally, he and Ebden clinched two ATP titles in men's doubles. The Wimbledon semi-final appearance marked Bopanna's third in the prestigious tournament, his first since 2015. Overall, the seasoned Indian player has now reached four Grand Slam semi-finals in men's doubles, including a runner-up finish at the US Open in 2010.
Although their journey at Wimbledon has come to an end, Bopanna and Ebden's valiant effort and commendable performance have left a lasting impression on the tennis world. As they reflect on their achievements and look ahead to future tournaments, their fans eagerly await the next opportunity to witness their incredible partnership on the court.
(With inputs from PTI)
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