US Open 2023: Rohan Bopanna-Matt Ebden finish as runners-up after men's doubles final loss

This is Bopanna's second runner-up finish in the competition.

The sixth seeded pair of Rohan Bopanna and Mattew Ebden went down to Rajeev Ram and Joe Salisbury in three sets (3-6, 6-4, 6-4) in the mixed doubles final of US Open 2023. Earlier, Bopanna had become the oldest male to have qualified for a Grand Slam final in the Open Era after progressing to the US Open men's doubles final after 13 long years. The quest for a maiden Grand Slam title in the men's doubles continues for the 43-year-old Indian.

Rajeev Ram and Joe Salisbury, on the other hand, have now won a hat-trick of titles at the US Open since 2021 and their fourth as a pair. Their victory has also made the American-British duo the first pair to win three consecutive men's doubles titles at US Open in the Open Era.

After an inconsistent season, the Ram-Salisbury brought in their experience to clinch the title. This is their second title of the season after having already won an ATP 250 title before.

In the final, Bopanna and Ebden started the opening set on a terrific note by breaking the third seeds in the opening game. Soon after that, the sixth seeded Indo-Aussie pair scored a double break which was sufficient for them win the opening game (6-3). One man that stood out in the opening game was Matthew Ebden, whose return games stood apart. Rajeev Ram-Joe Salisbury pair kept serving to the Australian on his strong backhand in the first few games.

A few games later, knowing Ebden's strength Joe played it smart by serving to Ebden's forehand. The 35-year-old did not hold back but kept returning back well with his forehand and Bopanna had very little to offer in the opener.

However, there was a twist in the tale as Bopanna and Ebden did not look as comfortable in the second set as they were in the opener. They had their chances in the opposition serve but Ram and Salisbury were quick to negate the break points.

With a small break at 2-2, the momentum looks to have shifted in the third seeds' favour and soon after they broke serve to lead 4-2. Within no time, the match shifted to Ram and Joe's favour and they comfortably took the second set 6-3.

The decider was off to a great start with Bopanna saving three break points at the start. In the next couple of games, Joe Salisbury saved three break points to level scores (2-2). Things started to take shape for the American-British duo as they were the first to break and take lead (3-2). From here on, both pairs held on their service games and in the end Rajeev Ram and Joe Salisbury clinched their fourth Grand Slam title as a pair.

Rohan Bopanna will move seven spots ahead to enter the top 10 in next week's ATP Rankings and is closing on getting into the top five. As a pair, Boppana and Ebden has also reached the third spot in the road to ATP finals rankings.