Bopanna and Bhupathi Debut in Chennai—Nathan’s Blog

Written by: Staff on 6th January 2012

Bopanna and Bhupathi Debut in Chennai—Nathan’s Blog |

By: Nathan M. Cuny

The 2012 debut of Mahesh Bhupathi and Rohan Bopanna was a success after their first victory together at the Aircel Chennai Open in Chennai, India. On January 4^th Bopanna and Bhupathi faced and overcame doubles teammates Xavier Malisse and Ken Skupski 5-7, 6-3, 10-5. The No.1 seeds Bopanna and Bhupathi moved onto the quarter finals on January 5^th, where they defeated Stanislas Wawrinka and Andreas Beck 6-4, 7-6³.

While playing against Xavier Malisse and Ken Skupski, teammates Bopanna and Bhupathi made seventy-one percent of their points on serve, shooting a total of 11 aces by the one hour and twenty-five minute game’s end. The team had a total of 3 double faults while Malisse and Skupski had zero faults.

Bopanna and Bhupathi scored seventy-two percent of their points on serve in their January 5^th match against Wawrinka and Beck. The new Indian doubles team shot a total of 7 aces throughout the game with only one double fault. Bopanna and Bhupathi clinched the game in a matter of one hour and thirteen minutes advancing them to the semifinals.

Mahesh Bhupathi’s former teammate Leander Paes has also advanced to the Chennai Open semifinals with his partner Janko Tipsarevic. Paes and Tipsarevic are the No.3 seeded team of the tournament. In Wednesday’s match, Paes and Tipsarevic defeated the Canadians Milos Raonic and Vasek Pospisil 6-3, 4-6, 10-7. Paes and Tipsarevic overcame an astounding 16 aces shot by the Canadians before taking the win. On Thursday January 5^th Bhupathi’s former teammate Paes, along with Janko Tipsarevic, defeated players Fabio Fognini and Igor Zelenay 6-3, 6-4. Paes and Tipsarevic scored seventy-three percent of their points on serve with zero double faults.

Bhupathi and Bopanna play Jonathan Erlich and Andy Ram on Saturday January 7^th for a spot in the finals. Jonathan Erlich is currently ranked No.50 in doubles while Andy Ram holds the rank of No. 51. Erlich and Ram make the fourth seeded team of the Aircel Chennai Open. Leander Paes and Janko Tipsarevic play the No.2 seeded team of Scott Lipsky and Rajeev Ram following Bhupathi and Bopanna’s match on January 7^th.

Mahesh Bhupathi is currently ranked the doubles No.7. His teammate Rohan Bopanna currently holds the doubles rank of No.11. The new team does not have a doubles team ranking yet, however they will surely make it to the Aircel Chennai Open finals, where the former teammates of Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi will undoubtedly face off. Rohan Bopanna and Mahesh Bhupathi formed the new team in hopes of gaining admittance to the Olympics. A win in their Chennai debut tournament will make one small 250 pt step towards their Olympic goal and more.

Topics: Aircel Chennai Open, Leander Paes, Mahesh Bhupathi