French novelist, Alexandre Dumas’ famous quote, “Nothing succeeds like success resonated with the elevation of Abraham Lincoln to the presidency of the United States of America. It also is apt for the success of J.K. Rowling, world-renowned author of the famous novel and movie Harry Potter. The scribe was reminded of Dumas’ quote while watching Rohan Bopanna and Matt Ebden claim the trophy in the Australian Open men’s double final at the Rod Laver Arena of Melbourne.
The second-seeded duo of Bopanna and Ebden annexed their maiden Australian Open men’s doubles title in a hard-fought encounter with none yielding an inch. It was not a cake walk in any way. The Indo-Australian duo survived a spirited challenge from their Italian opponents Simone Bolelli and Andrea Vavassori. Long last, Ebden and Bopanna managed to triumph 7-6 (7-0) 7-5 to secure their first major title as a team.
There was only a single break across an octane-pressure contest of 99-minute final, with Ebden and Bopanna coming through in the 11th game of the second set. The second seeds finished the high-quality encounter with 26 winners and zero unforced errors. “It was such a tough final today, I think it could have gone either way,” elated Ebden and Bopanna said after the match.
The first set was closely contested with Bopanna-Ebden having to settle it in a great tie-breaker. In the second set, it was once again do-or-die battle as Italians took an early lead. But Bopanna-Ebden maintained their composure and once again put in a high-level performance to seal the second set to lift the coveted trophy.
Ebden hailed his partner, “Thanks to my partner Rohan. He’s 43 years old and this is his first men’s Grand Slam doubles win. Age truly is not a number for this guy. He’s young at heart, he’s a champion, he’s a warrior.”
As Bopanna’s first major men’s doubles title, it sets a new Open era record for most attempts (at 61) before scoring a breakthrough title.
“For me, without a doubt the best moment in my career,” said Bopanna, who also becomes the oldest Grand Slam men’s doubles champion. “I had thought of quitting and stopping, but to just persevere and enjoy what I was doing, I think, was the best thing I told myself.”
The enduring 43-year-old also ties compatriot Leander Paes for most Australian Open appearances (with 17) before claiming a maiden men’s doubles title. Ebden, making his 15th appearance at his home Grand Slam, sits just behind them on this list. “For years and years I’ve been trying to, you know, get there,” Bopanna acknowledged. “I mean, the hurdle was tough.”
There were records galore created by the players before claiming the first men’s doubles titles at the Australian Open. Leander Paes & Rohan Bopanna lead the club with 17 appearances each, followed by Matt Ebden – 15 (Australia) , Rajeev Ram -14 (USA) & Nicolaus Mahut -13 (France), and Oliver Marach – 12 (Australia) . Bopanna is in the record books for climbing the pedestal of World No. 1 in men’s doubles and also the oldest-man ever in the Open Era to clinch a Grand Slam trophy.
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