Rohan Bopanna becomes the oldest player to reach a Grand Slam doubles final following his heroics with Matthew Ebden at US Open

The Indo-Australian pair defeated the French pair to reach the final of the US Open.

Rohan Bopanna becomes the oldest player to reach a Grand Slam doubles final following his heroics with Matthew Ebden at US Open

Matthew Ebden and Rohan Bopanna with the Indian Wells Trophy (credits :getty images)

Indian doubles tennis player Rohan Bopanna wrote history on Thursday at the US Open as he became the oldest man to reach a Grand Slam final in the Open Era. Bopanna and his doubles partner Matthew Ebden defeated the French pair of Nicolas Mahut and Pierre-Hugues Herbert in straight sets (7-6 (3), 6-2). Bopanna beat the record of Daniel Nestor of Canada, who was 43 years and 4 months old when he played in a Grand Slam final.

Earlier this year, the 43-year-old won the Indian Wells Masters, where he became the oldest Masters 1000 champion in history. This will be his second men’s doubles Grand Slam final appearance; the first one also came at the US Open in 2010. The sixth-seeded Indo-Australian pair had reached the semi-finals of the Wimbledon Championships earlier this year. 

YouTube video

“Great energy from the crowd, thank you guys for coming,” Bopanna said after the historic win. “Back in the final 13 years later, I love New York,” he further added. The duo was a break down in the first set, but with Ebden on serve, the pair managed to save a break point to avoid going double break down. This was the turning point of the set and eventually the match itself.

FS Video

“When we held after saving a break point to avoid going down a double break in the first set, that was really important,” Bopanna said. “We got some great energy from the crowd. Back in the final 13 years later for me, so I’m very happy,” he added.

Keep Exploring:  Carlos Alcaraz is the only one pushing Novak Djokovic to his limits observes Justine Henin praising the duo for the ‘best’ rivalry on the Tour

Rohan Bopanna and Ebden to face the doubles pair of Rajeev Ram and Joe Salisbury in the final

ram and salisbury
Joe Salisbury and Rajeev Ram (Credits: Getty Images)

Bopanna and Ebden will play two-time defending champions Rajeev Ram and Joe Salisbury in the men’s doubles final on Friday at the Arthur Ashe Stadium. The 3rd-seeded pair defeated Roland Garros champions Ivan Dodig and Austin Krajicek 7-5, 3-6, 6-3. If the pair manages to get the win on Friday, they will become the first team in the Open Era to win three consecutive titles at the US Open.

“It’s been a tough year for us, but to play at this level and to stick together and beat probably the best team of the year, I’m so proud of our performance,” Ram said after the semi-final win. Salisbury added, “We just knew we would fight hard to the end. Raj played amazing in the third set and we’re really happy to be back in the final… It’s not been the best year for us, so we didn’t think we’d be here. But there’s something about this place that brings out the best in us.”

The pair have won just one title this year, the ATP 250 in Lyon.

In case you missed it :