Tennis: Bopanna-Dodig crash out of Canadian Open
The Indian had to bow out even after winning the first set
Rohan Bopanna and partner Ivan Dodig failed to progress to the semifinals of the ATP Masters event in Toronto after losing in the quarterfinals.
The eighth-seeded pair was beaten by Joe Salisbury and Rajeev Ram 6-4, 3-6 (4-10) on Friday evening. They started the match on the front foot and won the first set quite comfortably. However, in the second they lost their rhythm, and were made to pay for it. Going into the tie-breakers, the Indo-Croatian pair failed to up their ante and surrendered the match.
Bopanna had earlier missed out on Tokyo 2020 qualification. Before participating in the Canadian Open, the pair went to the United States to play in the Washington Open but was defeated by Frances Tiafor and Nick Kyrgios in the Round of 16. They were beaten 5-7, 6-1, 9-11.
Bopanna is yet to win a doubles title this season and India's highest-ranked doubles player's lean patch continues.
His most notable recent performance came in June 2021 when he reached the quarterfinals of the French Open along with Franko Skugor. But the Spanish pair of Pedro Martinez and Pablo Andujar was too hot for them to handle as they lost in straight sets.
His partner Dodig had been in fine form at Tokyo 2020 as he clinched silver in men's doubles with compatriot Marin Cilic. They were defeated by Mate Pavic and Nikola Mektic in the gold-medal match.
In the Halle Open and Eastbourne International competition, he made quarterfinal exits as well. Whereas in Wimbledon, he lost in the first round itself.
However, the 41-year-old will hope that he will be able to put his best foot forward in the upcoming Cincinnati Masters and turn around his fortunes. Bopanna-Dodig will go up against Filip Krajinovic and Fabrice Martin in the first round on Sunday.