Indian Players Take Charge—Nathan’s Notice

Written by: Staff on 25th January 2012

Indian Players Take Charge—Nathan’s Notice |

By: Nathan M. Cuny

The New “Indian Express” was knocked out during the third round of the Australian Open. Many of us, I’m sure, had great hopes for the new pairing as they went into the Australian Open, even with their unsuccessful debut at the Aircel Chennai Open. The fourth seeds, Bopanna and Bhupathi crumbled in straight sets to Scott Lipsky and Rajeev Ram. Before the match the New “Indian Express” advanced phenomenally dropping only one set in both the first and second rounds. The third round did not prove so fortunate as they lost 6-7⁸, 2-6 after committing 11 unforced errors and three double faults—I guess the teammates just haven’t clicked yet.

Bhupathi and Bopanna remain part of the tournament playing the mixed doubles. Mahesh Bhupathi partnered with the glamorous Sania Mirza, while Rohan Bopanna partnered with Lisa Raymond of the USA. Bhupathi’s partner Sania Mirza lost her chance at the women’s doubles. She and her mixed teammate Bhupathi, however, are still in the run for new silverware. Sania and Bhupathi advanced to the mixed doubles semifinals after defeating Liezel Huber and Colin Fleming 7⁷-6⁵, 6-2 in 53 minutes.

Rohan Bopanna and his teammate Lisa Raymond take their shot against the Indian Powerhouse, Leander Paes and his teammate Elena Vesnina in the mixed doubles quarterfinals. The match takes place on Thursday the 26^th, at 11:00 AM on the Margaret Court arena. Bopanna’s service game was weak in his latest match with Bhupathi. If Bopanna’s service game strengthens then we should see a good match when he faces Paes whose latest average serve speed was around 103 mph.

Leander Paes, one half of the old Indian Express, has done very well throughout the Australian Open without his other half. Paes advanced to the finals with partner Radek Stepanek in a matter of 2 hours and 12 minutes. Stepanek and Paes knocked the second seeds, Max Mirnyi and Daniel Nestor, out of the tournament with a 2-6, 6-4, 6-4 win. The new teammates won their advance to their first major final together by serving out at love.

Neither Paes nor Bhupathi have ever won the Australian Open. In 2011 when the Old “Indian Express” united for the last time Bhupathi and Paes were only inches away from finally winning the illusive title when the Bryan twins stole it at the final. Paes has finished as runner up at the Australian Open three times—winning this year would complete a career Grand Slam. Paes and Stepanek duke it out with the Wonder Twins, Bob Bryan and Mike Bryan, for the title on Saturday the 28^th. This may be Paes’ final opportunity to win the Australian Open. Making it to the finals once more marks the third year Paes will have to face the Bryan twins for the only Grand Slam title he needs. This may be good luck for Rohan Bopanna when facing Paes (whose attention will likely be elsewhere) in the mixed doubles quarter finals.

Topics: Leander Paes, Mahesh Bhupathi, Rohan Bopanna, Sania Mirza