US Open 2023 Highlights: Rohan Bopanna-Matthew Ebden march into the final

Welcome to the Khel Now's live blog for the Rohan Bopanna/Matthew Ebden vs Nicolas Mahut and Pierre Hugues-Herbert men's doubles round 2 match in US Open 2023.

The sixth seeded pair of Rohan Bopanna and Matthew Ebden are set to take on French duo Nicolas Mahut and Pierre Hugues-Herbert in the men's doubles semifinals of US Open 2023. The experienced Indo-Aussie pair defeated America's Natalien Lammons and James Withrow in straight sets (7-6, 6-1), while the French duo got the better off Robert Galloway and Albano Olivetti (7-6, 6-4) to reach the last four stage in men's doubles.

Preview

The Indo-American pair registered a comfortable quarter-final win against the American duo Lammons and Withrow. The opening set was a closely contested with the game heading into the tie-breaker. In the tie-breaker, the American pair from 5-5 surged ahead to 10-9 and had close to three game points in-between.

However, after saving two match points, Mathew Ebden at 10-9 hit an inch perfect lob shot with the ball landing on the line on the other side. This moment proved to be critical and the sixth pair won the set by winning the next three points on offer (12-10). The following set was an icing in the cake for Bopanna and Ebden as they comfortably won it (6-1).

About the Opponents

The seasoned doubles specialist pair Nicolas Mahut and Pierre Hugues-Herbert enjoyed a smooth sailing at the US Open, defeating two seeded pairs on the way to the semifinals. Their first major test was in the second round against 8th seed Marcelo Granollers and Horacioa Zeballos. The French duo won the match in three sets and it was the only match in which the pair lost a set in the competition.

Like the Indo-Australian duo, the French pair too possess good service game and will rely on it in the semifinals clash.

Head-to-head record 

This will be the first time both pairs will meet against each other. However Bopanna and Ebden have played against Mahut once when the French international paired up with Tim Putz in Adelaide International Open in early January this year.

Predictions

Rohan Bopanna and Matthew Ebden go in as the favourites to reach the men's doubles final of US Open 2023. Their opponents are pairing up together after a brief break, however with experience they are capable of registering an upset. The number of double faults in the last match came down to five from seven for the sixth seeds and they now will look to reduce it further in a highly engaging match.