French Open 2024: Rohan Bopanna-Matthew Ebden Pair Fightback From Set Down To Seal Quarterfinal Spot

Rohan Bopanna and Matthew Ebden fought back from a set down to edge past the pair of N Sriram Balaji and Miguel Martinez to seal their berth in the French Open 2024 men's doubles quarterfinals in Paris on Monday (June 3).

The second-seeded Indo-Australian pair kept their cool in crunch moments, including a Super Tie-breaker, to emerge 6-7(2) 6-3 7-6 (10-8) winners in the men's doubles third round match against the Indo-Mexican duo.

Bopanna-Ebden pair, who won the Australian Open 2024 men's doubles title earlier this year, will next face tenth-seeded Belgian duo of Sander Gille and Joran Vliegen in the last eight match on Wednesday (June 5).

With scores level at 4-4 in the first eight games, there was an opportunity for the second seeds to break when Balaji could not return Ebden's backhand volley, which made it 30-all. However Balaji managed to hold serve, staying ahead 5-4 in the opening set.

Bopanna also held his serve comfortably. Another opportunity came for the second seeds when Reyes-Varela came out to serve and was down 15-40. The Indo-Mexican pair though saved both chances.

Balaji and Reyes-Varela had a great chance to close the set in their favour when Ebden hit a forehand wide at 30-all but Balaji returned wide on the break chance.

Eventually, a tie-break was required to decide the opening set. Balaji and Reyes-Varela raced to a 4-1 lead after Bopanna served a double fault at 1-1. The Mexican hit a stunning backhand angled winner and Bopanna made an unforced error.

From there, it was a set to be taken by the unseeded pair. Reyes-Varlea hit a volley winner to earn four set points. Balaji converted the first with a widish unreturnable serve.

An early break in the second set gave Bopanna and Ebden to force a third set and they did not lose the opportunity. The third set was a tight affair with both pairs not giving an inch to each other. As the set progressed the games were held at love. Ebden came out to serve under pressure at 5-6 but delivered.

The Super Tie-breaker was equally engrossing with the two pairs locked 6-6 at one stage. However, Balaji served a double fault at 7-8 to hand the opponents two match points. They saved the first when Ebden's overhead smash went into net but the Australian found a winner on the next to close the game.

(With PTI inputs)