Paris: In a semifinal clash at the French Open 2024, India's Rohan Bopanna and Australia's Matthew Ebden faced a heartbreaking defeat. The Indo-Australian pair fell to Italy's Simone Bolelli and Andrea Vavassori in a grueling match that stretched nearly two hours, ending with scores of 7-5, 2-6, 6-2.
The match was a rollercoaster of emotions. Bopanna and Ebden, usually a formidable duo, struggled to find their rhythm early on. They lost the first set 7-5, despite a spirited fight.
The second set saw a dramatic turnaround as the pair stormed back, overpowering the Italians 6-2 with a display of aggressive and strategic play. However, their resurgence was short-lived.
In the decisive final set, Bolelli and Vavassori regained control, ultimately sealing the match with a 6-2 victory.
This defeat is particularly stinging for Bopanna and Ebden, who had previously bested the same Italian duo in January's Australian Open final. That victory, achieved in straight sets 7-6, 7-5, marked Bopanna's second career Grand Slam title and his first in men's doubles.
Bopanna's earlier Grand Slam success came in mixed doubles at the 2017 French Open, where he triumphed alongside Canada's Gabriela Dabrowski.
Despite the current setback, Bopanna and Ebden's journey through the French Open has been a testament to their resilience and skill. Their tenacity on the court has left fans hopeful and eager for future victories.