The opening round of the Cincinnati Masters 1000 doubles draw delivered plenty of drama for tennis fans, with Marcelo Melo and Alexander Zverev overcoming Rohan Bopanna and Ethan Quinn in a closely fought three-set battle.
The Brazilian-German pair triumphed 7-5, 3-6, 10-6 in one hour and 19 minutes, booking their place in the Round of 16 where they will face the tournament’s top seeds, Marcelo Arevalo and Mate Pavic.
For Bopanna, 45, and Quinn, 21, this was an opportunity to blend experience with youthful energy. Granted a wildcard into the prestigious hard-court event, the Indo-American pairing showed glimpses of chemistry and firepower but ultimately fell short against opponents who combined Melo’s doubles nous with Zverev’s big-match presence.
The opening set was a fine example of high-quality doubles tennis sharp volleys, strategic poaching, and plenty of quick-fire exchanges. Bopanna and Quinn’s serving numbers were strong early on, with the Indian veteran using his powerful delivery to set up easy put-aways. They landed 70% of first serves in the set and won 84% of those points, a stat that underlined their efficiency.
However, Melo and Zverev managed to stay in the rallies just long enough to apply scoreboard pressure. Their own serve was equally effective, winning 83% of first-serve points and saving both break points they faced. The decisive moment came late in the set, when a brief lapse from the wildcard pairing on serve allowed Melo and Zverev to break at 5-5 before serving it out 7-5.
If the first set was about missed chances, the second was about seizing them. Bopanna and Quinn immediately raised their return intensity, making inroads into Zverev’s second serve in particular. The stats tell the story: they won 53% of second-serve return points, a significant jump from the first set, and converted one of five break points to grab a crucial lead.
While the first serve percentage for Melo and Zverev dipped slightly to 69%, Bopanna and Quinn maintained their level, again serving at 70% and winning 84% of first-serve points. The difference this time was their ability to pressure their opponents’ service games more consistently. A single break proved enough as they closed the set 6-3, forcing a match tiebreak.
The deciding 10-point tiebreak saw Melo and Zverev use their experience to control the tempo. Zverev’s aggressive returns and Melo’s sharp net play created immediate scoreboard separation. Despite Bopanna and Quinn saving a couple of match points, the Brazilian-German duo sealed the breaker 10-6. Their overall serving efficiency was telling: 9 aces across the match, winning 83% of first-serve points and 47% on second serve. Bopanna and Quinn, by contrast, hit 3 aces and won 58% of points on second serve, which proved a critical gap.
Stats Snapshot Margins That Mattered
- Aces: Melo/Zverev 9, Bopanna/Quinn 3
- First Serve %: Bopanna/Quinn 70%, Melo/Zverev 69%
- 1st Serve Points Won: Melo/Zverev 83%, Bopanna/Quinn 84%
- 2nd Serve Points Won: Melo/Zverev 47%, Bopanna/Quinn 58%
- Break Points Converted: Melo/Zverev 1/2, Bopanna/Quinn 1/5
The conversion rate on break points was a defining factor. Bopanna and Quinn had more opportunities but could not capitalise at the same rate, while Melo and Zverev’s clinical finishing in the key moments tilted the match.
A First-Round Exit for Both Indian Entries
The loss marked a quick exit for Bopanna in Cincinnati, who was making his first appearance at the event since 2023. His young partner Ethan Quinn, better known for his singles career (ranked No. 82), will take positives from the experience of competing alongside one of doubles’ most experienced figures against high-caliber opposition.
In the other Indian interest match on Tuesday, Anirudh Chandrasekhar and Ramkumar Ramanathan also bowed out in the first round. The Indian pair fell 6-4, 6-4 to the top seeds Marcelo Arevalo and Mate Pavic, who combined consistent serving with solid net play to keep the Indians at bay. Arevalo/Pavic’s 88% success rate on first-serve points was a key pillar of their straight-sets victory.
Advancing to the last 16 is a solid start for Melo and Zverev, but the challenge ahead is significant. Arevalo and Pavic have been in fine form this season, boasting one of the highest win percentages on the ATP Tour in 2025 and carrying the confidence of multiple title runs. For Zverev, better known for his singles prowess, the Cincinnati campaign offers another dimension to his game. His combination with Melo, a seasoned doubles Grand Slam champion, brings together baseline power and net craft an approach that will be tested thoroughly by the top seeds’ cohesion and tactical nous.
While Indian men’s doubles has enjoyed a rich legacy, this year’s Cincinnati campaign serves as a reminder of the fine margins at the top level. Bopanna, still competing at 45, remains India’s most experienced active player, but with the next generation, including Chandrasekhar and Ramanathan, making main draws, there is a gradual transition underway. Yuki Bhambri and his New Zealand partner Michael Venus also feature in the top half of the draw, set to face Ben Shelton and Gabriel Diallo. For Indian tennis fans, Bhambri’s progress now carries the baton in Cincinnati after the early exits of Bopanna and Chandrasekhar.
The opening day of doubles action in Cincinnati delivered contrasting fortunes. Melo and Zverev overcame a spirited challenge from Bopanna and Quinn, using experience and clutch execution in the match tiebreak to advance. Meanwhile, Arevalo and Pavic underlined their top-seed status with a commanding win over Chandrasekhar and Ramanathan.
For the Brazilian-German duo, the next match promises to be a litmus test against the favourite, while for India’s doubles hopefuls, the focus shifts to refining their games to convert opportunities into wins against the world’s best.
