Rohan Bopanna and Ramkumar Ramanathan win Adelaide International with upset win over top seeds

Teaming up for their inaugural appearance on the ATP Tour, India’s Rohan Bopanna and Ramkumar Ramanathan clinched the doubles title at the Adelaide International with a hard-fought 7-6 (6), 6-1 victory over top seeds Ivan Dodig and Marcelo Melo on Sunday.

Bopanna’s exceptional service returns at crucial junctures, coupled with Ramkumar’s versatile all-around game, tilted the match in their favor. Throughout the one hour and 21-minute contest, the Indian duo successfully defended all four break points and broke their opponents twice.

This triumph marked Bopanna’s 20th ATP doubles title and a significant milestone for Ramkumar, securing his first title in only his second summit clash at this level. He had previously finished as a runner-up at the Hall of Fame Tennis Championships in 2018.

Expressing his satisfaction, Bopanna highlighted the advantage of playing alongside Ramkumar, especially during his serves, which facilitated quick point finishes. Comparing the partnership with Ramkumar to his previous collaboration with left-handed Divij Sharan, Bopanna explained the different strategic approaches, emphasizing the efficiency of ending points early with Ramkumar.

Commenting on the relatively low Indian representation in the event, Bopanna expressed surprise, noting that more Indian players could have entered the field due to the limited competition. The prize money of USD 18,700 will be split between Bopanna and Ramkumar, and both players will earn 250 ranking points each.

This victory serves as a significant confidence boost for Ramkumar as he looks forward to the Australian Open Qualifiers, where he aims to secure a spot in the singles main draw of a Grand Slam once again. The match saw Bopanna and Ramkumar overcoming challenges, including saving breakpoints and capitalizing on crucial moments, showcasing their resilience and teamwork.