Bopanna-Ebden triumph at Miami Open, reclaim doubles world No. 1 ranking
Rohan Bopanna and his partner Matthew Ebden of Australia continued their impressive run this season by clinching the men’s doubles title at the Miami Open on March 30th, 2024. The Indo-Australian duo defeated Croatia’s Ivan Dodig and American Austin Krajicek in a thrilling encounter with a final score of 6-7(3), 6-3, 10-6.
This victory marked a significant milestone for Bopanna in a couple of ways. Not only did it represent their second title of the year after their Australian Open triumph, but it also propelled them back to the top of the men’s doubles rankings.
Bopanna rewrites his own record
Bopanna, at the age of 44, etched his name in the history books once again. By winning the Miami Open, he surpassed his own record set last year when he conquered the Indian Wells title at the age of 43.
This victory solidifies his position as the oldest ATP Masters 1000 champion.
A comeback for the ages
The Miami Open final wasn’t a walk in the park for Bopanna and Ebden. They fell behind after a tight first set that went to a tiebreaker. However, the resilient pair bounced back convincingly in the second set, breaking their opponent’s serve early on. This momentum shift proved crucial as they forced a match tiebreaker.
The deciding tiebreaker was a tense affair, with both teams trading points. But Bopanna and Ebden displayed their championship mettle, eventually clinching the victory 10-6.
Return to the Summit
Following their Australian Open win, Bopanna had ascended to the world No. 1 ranking in doubles, becoming the oldest player to achieve this feat. However, a dip in form, including a quarterfinal loss at the Dubai Championships and a round-of-32 exit at the Indian Wells Masters, saw him drop to No. 2.
The Miami Open title win rectified that and put Bopanna and Ebden back at the helm of the doubles rankings. This achievement is a testament to their exceptional teamwork and consistent performances throughout the year.
Bopanna, the first Indian champion in Miami since Paes
Bopanna’s success at the Miami Open holds another special significance for Indian tennis. He became the first Indian player to win the Miami Open title since Leander Paes, who achieved the feat in 2012 with his Czech partner Radek Stepanek.
This win is sure to inspire a new generation of Indian tennis players and further propel Bopanna’s legacy as a legend of the sport.
DISCLAIMER: This team is based on the understanding, analysis, and instinct of the author. While selecting your team, consider the points mentioned and make your own decision.
