Rohan Bopanna and Ben Shelton’s partnership continued to flourish on the European indoor swing as the Indo-American, Bopanna–Shelton powered their way into the semifinals of the Swiss Indoors Basel ATP 500 with a strong 6-3, 3-6, [10-3] win over French stalwarts Pierre-Hugues Herbert and Nicolas Mahut late on Wednesday night.
In a match that blended Bopanna’s experience with Shelton’s youthful energy, the pair overcame a second-set dip before producing an electric match tiebreak to seal their second ATP 500 semifinal of the season, following their impressive run in Tokyo earlier this month.
The Indo-American pairing, who have shown growing on-court chemistry through the latter half of 2025, began the contest with intent. Bopanna’s precise serving and Shelton’s explosive returns unsettled the French pair early, as they dictated tempo from the back of the court while maintaining solid net positioning.
Their aggressive start was reflected in the numbers the team fired seven aces and maintained a first-serve percentage of 83%, dominating service games with 83% of points won behind the first serve (33/40). The duo broke Mahut’s serve in the sixth game of the opening set and consolidated with authority, wrapping up the set 6-3 in 27 minutes. The first set exemplified Bopanna’s trademark poise and Shelton’s ability to inject pace at crucial junctures. Herbert and Mahut, both known for their all-court game and multiple Grand Slam titles together, struggled to find rhythm against Shelton’s left-handed angles and Bopanna’s flat returns.
The second set, however, was a reminder of why Herbert and Mahut have been one of the most successful doubles teams of the last decade. With tighter serving and more decisive volleying, they forced Bopanna and Shelton to play on the defensive.
Herbert found his range on the returns while Mahut’s presence at the net became more influential. The French pair capitalized on the only break point of the set, converting it to take a 3-1 lead before holding serve consistently to level the match at one set all, 6-3.
While Bopanna and Shelton continued to serve well with no double faults across the match their first-strike efficiency dropped slightly in the second set. Herbert and Mahut won 76% of first-serve points and saved both break points they faced to stay ahead.
Decisive Super Tiebreak: A Statement of Intent
The match headed into a deciding match tiebreak, and it was here that Bopanna and Shelton produced their best tennis. They started with a flurry, winning six points in a row to race to a 6-0 lead. From there, the momentum was irreversible. Bopanna’s sharp reflexes at the net and Shelton’s booming serves proved too much for the Frenchmen to handle. The pair eventually sealed the tiebreak 10-3, finishing with an unreturned serve from Shelton that sent them roaring into the semifinals.
Their first-serve dominance (83%), zero double faults, and superior second-serve points won (75%) underscored the precision and control that defined their performance. In contrast, Herbert/Mahut managed just 63% first serves in and committed three double faults, which proved costly in key moments.
This partnership blending a 45-year-old doubles maestro with a 22-year-old singles powerhouse continues to evolve. Bopanna, one of the ATP Tour’s most respected doubles figures, brings the tactical clarity, while Shelton adds explosive shot-making and raw athleticism. What has stood out across their recent performances is how seamlessly they complement each other’s strengths. Bopanna’s composure in service games allows Shelton the freedom to play aggressively on return, while Shelton’s baseline consistency takes pressure off his senior partner during longer exchanges.
Their contrasting styles have developed into an effective formula, and their growing rapport has been evident both on and off the court.
Numbers Behind the Win
A closer look at the match statistics tells the story of their control:
- Aces: Bopanna/Shelton – 7 | Herbert/Mahut – 5
- Double Faults: Bopanna/Shelton – 0 | Herbert/Mahut – 3
- 1st Serve Points Won: 83% (33/40) vs 76% (25/33)
- 2nd Serve Points Won: 75% (6/8) vs 58% (11/19)
- Break Points Converted: 1/3 for Bopanna/Shelton | 1/2 for Herbert/Mahut
- Break Points Saved: 50% for Bopanna/Shelton | 67% for Herbert/Mahut
The biggest difference came in the Super Tiebreak, where Bopanna and Shelton won 10 of the 13 points played including all six of the opening exchanges, effectively shutting the door on any French comeback.
With this win, Bopanna and Shelton advance to their second ATP 500 semifinal of the year, having also made the final four in Tokyo earlier this month. Their next challenge will come against the experienced duo of Czech Adam Pavlásek and Poland’s Jan Zieliński, who themselves have had a strong run on the indoor hard courts. For Bopanna, this Basel campaign marks another remarkable milestone in an enduring career that continues to inspire. The Indian veteran remains among the few active players competing deep into ATP 500 and Masters-level events at 45. For Shelton, these doubles runs provide valuable tactical experience and court variety as he builds his singles momentum heading into the 2026 season.
The victory in Basel was another reminder that this inter-generational partnership is far from a novelty act it’s a legitimate threat on the ATP circuit. Their combination of youthful aggression and veteran intelligence gives them the versatility to adapt to different opponents and conditions. As they prepare for the semifinal, both players will look to build on their clean serving rhythm and capitalize on their aggressive first-strike strategy a pattern that has brought them consistent success over the last few weeks.
Match Summary: Basel ATP 500 – Quarterfinal
🇮🇳 Rohan Bopanna / 🇺🇸 Ben Shelton def. 🇫🇷 Pierre-Hugues Herbert / Nicolas Mahut 6-3, 3-6, [10-3]
Next: 🇨🇿 Adam Pavlásek / 🇵🇱 Jan Zieliński (Semifinal)
A match of precision, power, and poise Rohan Bopanna and Ben Shelton are through to the semifinals in Basel, proving once again that experience and exuberance can be a winning combination.
