Rohan Bopanna’s 2025 Australian Open campaign concluded on January 21 in the mixed doubles quarter-finals. Playing alongside Chinese partner Shuai Zhang, the duo faced Australian pair John Peers and Olivia Gadecki. Despite a strong performance, they lost 2-6, 6-4, 11-9 at the Kia Arena, Melbourne Park. This marked the end of India’s challenge in the tournament.
Strong Performance But Missed Opportunities for Bopanna and Zhang
Bopanna and Zhang appeared in good form throughout the match, with Bopanna executing stunning single-handed backhand winners. However, they squandered a crucial match point in the super tie-breaker, which ultimately led to their loss. Despite impressive serving and accuracy from Bopanna, key moments slipped away, allowing the Australian duo to gain momentum.
The match saw a comeback from the Australian team after losing the first set. Backed by a passionate local crowd, Peers and Gadecki rallied to win 6-4 in the second set. In the super tie-breaker, Bopanna’s net error at 10-9 handed the Australians a chance, and they capitalized, securing the mini-break to win the match and progress to the semi-finals.
Mixed Doubles Results for Indian Players at Australian Open
Earlier, Bopanna faced disappointment in the men’s doubles first round with new partner Nicolas Barrientos. Additionally, N Sriram Balaji and Mexican partner Miguel Reyes-Varela were also eliminated in the first round of mixed doubles. The mixed doubles exit marked the final blow to India’s participation in the tournament.
In singles, Sumit Nagal was the sole Indian representative but was eliminated in the opening round. He was defeated by 26th seed Tomas Machac, adding to India’s early departures from the tournament.
