Bopanna holds nerve and serve, Sania her poise

BySukhwant Basra

Published on: Aug 14, 2016 11:16 am IST

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RIO DE JANEIRO: India’s chances in the tennis doubles at Rio always hinged upon the coming together of Rohan Bopanna’s explosive game. The volatile Kodava from Bangalore

RIO DE JANEIRO: India’s chances in the tennis doubles at Rio always hinged upon the coming together of Rohan Bopanna’s explosive game. The volatile Kodava from Bangalore has all the weapons but has in the past not shown the strength of mind which defines a champion.

On Friday, he proved that given a partner he vibed well with, he too could get beyond any demons of the head that may have plagued him in the past.

In the hour and eight minutes that it took Sania Mirza and Bopanna to pare down the rampant challenge of Andy Murray across the net, Bopanna held his nerve and serve – the two crucial components that make him potent or ordinary. In the serve department he was not challenged after he was broken in the opening game. The 6-4, 6-4 scoreline against Murray and Heather Watson came astride a precise game-plan which was executed to perfection.

From the very first rally, it was obvious that the Indians would be targeting Watson. The weak link in the British pairing was thoroughly exposed as she executed many a fumble as the match unfolded. Watson did get her game together by the second set but by then momentum was firmly with the Indians and there was no stopping them, no matter that on the other side of the net stood the world number two singles player.

“We had a game-plan, saw their videos. We had to stick to it and try to keep Andy out of it. We wanted to make him play the uncomfortable shots. He’s obviously the best in the world. We had to try and bring him in,” Sania told reporters later.

It is Sania who has played the anchor role in this combination. She has appeared least flustered and is actually a calming influence for Bopanna out there. At 29, she is seven years younger to Bopanna but her poise and calm has been the bedrock of this run so far. That and, of course, that whiplash forehand which had even Murray flummoxed many a time.

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