IndoPak Express Safe for Barclays—Nathan’s Blog

Written by: Staff on 5th November 2011

IndoPak Express Safe for Barclays—Nathan’s Blog |

Nathan M. Cuny

Bopanna and Qureshi’s winning streak over Marcelo Melo and Bruno Soares faltered in the quarterfinals this week at the Valencia Open 500—who would have thought it. Melo and Soares likely enjoyed their 0-6, 6-4, 10-8 victory after having their tennis balls and racquets handed to them two weeks ago in the Stockholm Open finals, and immediately again one week ago in the first round of the Erste Bank Open.

The South African Airways Rankings for Bopanna and Qureshi rose to 3695 points. Considering all of the other 500 tournaments IndoPak Express has played this season, Valencia is up there with their best. In all other ATP World Tour 500 tournaments this season Bopanna and Qureshi lost in the round prior to the quarterfinals, earning 0 pts, except in Dubai where they lost in the quarter finals earning 90 pts. Even though Bopanna and Qureshi did not advance past the Valencia Open’s quarter finals, this was one of their best ATP World Tour 500’s of the season.

Their overall poor performance in many of the ATP 500’s makes me question why they do well in many of the ATP World Tour Masters 1000 tournaments. Bopanna and Qureshi have added their greatest amount of points from Grand Slam events and ATP 1000 tournaments. IndoPak Express has not won any of prior stated types of tournaments but repetitively advanced to the quarter finals or semifinals. What I find equally as odd is…throughout the season Bopanna and Qureshi played better in the Grand Slam and Master’s 1000 tournaments then in the ATP 250 events.

Based on that evidence it’s safe to say the teammates will hold their position as doubles No.7 all the way to the Barclays Finals in London. With Paris coming up in three days—can you believe it—three days until the finals Masters 1000 event of the season, it’s a sure bet Bopanna and Qureshi will do well.

There’s no worries IndoPak Express will lose their No.7 spot on their way to Barclays. Fyrstenberg and Mariusz the world doubles No. 8’s have already been kicked out of the Valencia Open 500, losing to the team of Butorac and Rojer. With their win Butorac and Rojer advanced onto the semifinals today. Even if they don’t make it past the semifinals, the No. 9 teammates are right on the tails of Fyrstenberg and Mariusz putting them a mere 15 pts from nabbing the No. 8 Spot. Bopanna and Qureshi may not face the current No. 8’s at Barclays.

On final thoughts, will Bopanna and Qureshi play Melo and Soares for the fourth week in a row as we approach the final Masters 1000 tournament of the year—BNP Paribas? That’s a big if, it all depends on how the event is seeded, but would be very entertaining. Come Monday the end of season excitement will start rolling fast. Enjoy the weekend.

Topics: Aisam Ul Haq Qureshi, Rohan Bopanna, Valencia Open