Indian ace Rohan Bopanna can lastly have a good time his first grand slam males’s doubles crown after linking with West Aussie Matt Ebden to win the Australian Open title.
The pair triumphed over Italian duo Simone Bolelli and Andrea Vavassori 7-6 (7-0) 7-5 in a Saturday night time ultimate on Rod Laver Arena.
Aged 43, new world No.1 Bopanna is now the oldest man within the Open period to win a grand slam doubles title, lifting the trophy on his 61st look in a males’s doubles draw, which is essentially the most makes an attempt earlier than a victory.
Bopanna, whose solely earlier slam win was within the blended doubles on the French Open in 2017, was taking part in in his seventeenth Australian Open, together with his twelfth completely different companion.
It’s Wimbledon males’s doubles champion Ebden’s third main title, 11 years since he received his first within the blended doubles in Melbourne.
Two years in the past, the 36-year-old Ebden landed the Wimbledon males’s doubles crown with Max Purcell after the native pair had earlier misplaced within the Australian Open ultimate that 12 months to Nick Kyrgios and Thanasi Kokkinakis.
His win additionally makes up for his defeat within the US Open title decider final 12 months alongside Bopanna.
It’s the third successive 12 months an Australian has featured in a profitable males’s duo, with Rinky Hijikata and Jason Kubler taking the title in 2023.
“What an amazing tournament. Thanks to my partner Rohan; he is 43 years old, it is is first men’s grand slam doubles final,” Ebden mentioned.
“Age truly really is not even a number for this guy. He is young at heart. He is a champion and a warrior and he has fought hard by my side this whole last year.
“It has been such a dream come true to win here in Australia in front of our home fans so thank you so much.”
Little separated the pairings in a decent ultimate, with Bopanna and Ebden, who’ve performed collectively for nearly 12 months, arising with the products when it mattered.
The first set stayed on serve and went to a tie-break, which they stormed by way of effortlessly with out dropping a single level.
The second set performed out the identical approach till at 5-5 Bopanna and Ebden broke Vavassori to like, permitting the Australian to serve for the match.
The “Big Bopper” Bopanna iced the win when he smashed the ball on the web to seal the straight units triumph.
Bopanna joked he was at “level 43” moderately than aged 43.
“Obviously this could not have been possible if I do not have a fantastic Aussie partner by my side so thank you to Matt,” he mentioned.
“We have had a fantastic season last year and for me to win my first men’s doubles grand slam here, thank you.”
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
