Xtra Time Web Desk: Indian tennis ace Rohan Bopanna, at 43, etched his name into tennis history by becoming the oldest men’s doubles Grand Slam champion in the Open Era. This remarkable achievement was accompanied by his swift ascent to the top of the tennis world as the oldest World No. 1. In a historic Australian Open Final, Bopanna, paired with Australia’s Matthew Ebden, secured their first Grand Slam title by defeating the Italian duo Simone Bolelli and Andrea Vavassori in straight sets of 7-6(0), 7-5.
The opening set showcased the prowess of the No. 2 seeds, with both sides exhibiting exceptional serving. Despite a momentary lapse in Ebden’s performance at 5-5, they held on, forcing the set into a tiebreaker. Bopanna and Ebden elevated their game, dominating the Italians and winning the set with a bagel in the tiebreaker.
The second set mirrored the first, with impeccable serving until 5-5. However, Vavassori succumbed to pressure, committing errors and double-faulting, providing an opening for the second seeds to break. Ebden then served out the match, securing a 7-6(0), 7-5 victory and etching Bopanna’s name in the annals of tennis history.