In a week where Indian doubles specialists stamped their authority across ATP and Challenger events, it was the evergreen Rohan Bopanna, now 44, who stole the spotlight once again.
Teaming up with rising American star Ben Shelton, Bopanna showcased why he remains one of the most feared names in doubles tennis with a stunning comeback victory at the prestigious Monte Carlo Masters, one of the crown jewels of the ATP calendar.
Bopanna-Shelton Break Through in Monte Carlo
The Indo-American duo faced a tough opening-round clash against the in-form and experienced third-seeded Italians, Simone Bolelli and Andrea Vavassori.
The Italians looked sharp early, racing through the first set 6-2 with clean serving and sharp net play. But Bopanna, a veteran of countless ATP battles, dug deep.
Relying on his booming serve and tactical awareness, Bopanna helped steady the ship in the second set. Shelton, known for his aggressive baseline power, began finding his range as the match wore on.
They forced a tie-break and held their nerve to win it 7-6(4), leveling the match and swinging the momentum.
In the deciding super tie-break, it was Bopanna’s poise that proved decisive. The duo edged out the Italians 10-7, booking a spot in the quarterfinals of the Monte Carlo Masters — a significant result both in terms of ranking points and prestige.
For Bopanna, who finished 2023 as the oldest-ever ATP Masters 1000 champion in doubles, this win adds another feather to his cap and underscores his ability to adapt alongside young partners like Shelton.
As India’s flagbearer in elite tennis, he continues to inspire the next generation of Indian doubles players.
Indian Doubles Dominance on Challenger Circuit
While Bopanna made waves in Monaco, a new wave of Indian doubles players was making headlines at ATP Challenger events across Mexico and Spain.
In Mexico, second seeds Rithvik Bollipalli of India and Nicolas Barrientos of Colombia overcame a shaky start to defeat Ray Ho (Chinese Taipei) and Matthew Romios (Australia) 3-6, 6-3, [10-7] in the Round of 16.
The Indo-Colombian pair showed great resilience after dropping the first set and now look poised for a deep run.
Meanwhile, top seeds Sriram Balaji and Miguel Reyes-Varela (Mexico) were clinical in their straight-set win over Mateus Alves and Stefano Napolitano, closing it out 6-3, 6-2. Balaji, a seasoned Challenger doubles specialist, continues to show elite-level consistency.
Spanish Challenger: More Indian Success
In Spain, several Indian names continued to raise the flag high.
- Anirudh Chandrasekar, teaming up with Spanish partner David Vega Hernandez, pulled off a major upset, defeating the top-seeded pair Guido Andreozzi and Theo Arribage 3-6, 7-5, [10-8]. The duo’s ability to turn the tide late in the second set speaks volumes about their grit under pressure.
- Siddhant Banthia and Bulgarian Alexander Donski secured a tidy 6-4, 6-4 win over the all-Indian-Spanish pair of Nikki Poonacha and Sergio Martos Gornes.
- Ramkumar Ramanathan and Saketh Myneni, veterans of many Davis Cup battles for India, edged past Czech pair Jiri Barnat and Filip Duda 6-2, 5-7, [10-6] to reach the quarterfinals.
This depth of performance across three separate Challenger events speaks to the growing strength of India’s doubles ecosystem. From seasoned names like Bopanna and Myneni to rising forces like Rithvik and Anirudh, Indian tennis is enjoying a renaissance in the doubles arena.
Bopanna’s Role as Mentor and Trailblazer
What makes this week even more symbolic is the thread connecting Bopanna’s elite success with the aspirations of the young Indian contingent. His consistency on the biggest stages offers a tangible roadmap for emerging players.
Many, including Bollipalli and Chandrasekar, have spoken openly about drawing inspiration from Bopanna’s longevity and approach to professionalism.
As he prepares for — potentially his last season — Bopanna’s legacy is already being built in the performances of the next generation.
Looking Ahead
With multiple Indian pairs in the quarterfinals across ATP and Challenger events, this week could end with at least one trophy — if not more. But beyond titles, what’s more reassuring is the consistency and resilience on display.
Bopanna continues to lead by example, not just with victories, but by reinforcing India’s place on the global tennis map — one booming serve at a time.
By IndiaSportsHub | #IndianTennis
