London: Rohan Bopanna and Matthew Ebden faced disappointment as they exited the men’s doubles event at Wimbledon 2023 after a straight-set loss in the semifinals on Thursday. The Indo-Australian pair succumbed to a 7-5, 6-4 defeat against the top-seeded duo of Wesley Koolhof from the Netherlands and Neal Skupski from Britain.
The match started off with an intense battle in the opening set, with both teams displaying their skills shot by shot. When the score stood at 3-3, Koolhof and Skupski seized a crucial break point, taking control of the match and gaining the momentum needed to secure the first set.
The second set proved to be just as closely contested, with neither pair willing to give an inch. Bopanna and Ebden made an early push, taking a 2-1 lead by attacking the net. However, Koolhof and Skupski showcased their resilience, rallying back to claim a 5-4 lead. Eventually, the Dutch-British duo clinched victory, securing their spot in the final.
This loss marks Bopanna and Ebden’s second defeat this year against Koolhof and Skupski, having previously fallen to them in the semi-finals of the Barcelona Open in April. Despite this setback, the Indo-Australian duo showcased their prowess in the earlier rounds, triumphing over various opponents.
In the quarter-finals, Bopanna and Ebden overcame the unseeded Dutch pair Bart Stevens and Tallon Griekspoor. Prior to that, they emerged victorious against the Argentine duo Guillermo Duran and Tomas Martin Etcheverry in the first round. In subsequent rounds, they defeated the all-British pair of Jacob Fearnley and Johannus Monday in the second round, as well as the Dutch-American duo of David Pel and Reese Stalder in the third round.
Although Bopanna and Ebden’s Wimbledon journey has come to an end, their remarkable performances throughout the tournament highlight their skill and determination on the court. As they bid farewell to this year’s Wimbledon, they will undoubtedly continue to strive for success in future tennis endeavors.
