Xtra Time Web Desk: In a thrilling display of skill and determination, the Indian tennis duo of Rohan Bopanna and Rutuja Bhosale etched their names in the history books by clinching the gold medal in mixed doubles at the 2023 Asian Games held in Hangzhou, China. The dynamic pair’s journey to victory was nothing short of remarkable.
Facing Taiwanese duo of Tsung-hao Huang and En-shuo Liang, Bopanna and Bhosale encountered an early setback, losing the first set 2-6. However, their resilience and tenacity shone through as they mounted a stunning comeback, securing the second set 6-3 and pushing the match into a nail-biting tie-breaker.
In a heart-pounding 1-hour and 14-minute showdown, the Indian team delivered a masterclass in mixed doubles tennis, dominating the tie-breaker with a resounding scoreline of 10-4. This victory not only secured the gold medal but also continued India’s remarkable record of achieving at least one gold medal in every Asian Games edition in the 21st century.
For Rohan Bopanna, this win held special significance as it marked his second medal at the Asian Games, following his men’s doubles gold in Jakarta 2018. This achievement was especially meaningful given his unexpected exit in the men’s doubles event earlier in the week, where he and Yuki Bhambri were considered favorites for gold. On the other hand, Rutuja Bhosale had a memorable outing, earning her first-ever Asian Games medal and making the nation proud with her exceptional performance on the grand stage.