Bhupathi/Bopanna stun Llodra/Zimonjic to qualify for the semis – Sony Ericsson Open 2012
Indian duo of Mahesh Bhupathi and Rohan Bopanna moved one step closer to winning their second team title, as they fought back after losing the first set to upset third seeds, Michael Llodra and Nenad Zimonjic, 2-6, 6-3, 10-8 in
the quarterfinal at the Sony Ericsson Open in Miami on Tuesday.
Llodra and Zimonjic drew the first blood, hitting two blows to the Indians and capitalising on the double break to win the first set 6-2.
Although the French-Serbian duo delivered terrible second serves, committing three double faults and winning just seven of the 13 points on them. Llodra and Zimonjic gave an extra ordinary first serve and return performance, claiming
nine of the 12 and seven of the 17 points on them respectively.
Bhupathi and Bopanna started to play aggressively in the second set and the strategy paid off, as the raced to a 3-0 lead. The Indian pair made the most of this advantage and served it out at 5-3.
The sixth seeds smashed two aces and pocketed 14 of the 16 first serve points. Although they faltered on the second deliveries but succeeded in saving both break points they faced and utilised the one opportunity they received
in the second set.
There was an intense fight in the tie-breaker round, as both teams went neck-to-neck in the first half. However, Bhupathi and Bopanna hit some fine volleys to close it 10-8.
The Indian duo had a lower first serve percentage and conversion rate but they did not lose any point on their second serve. They secured both points on the second returns in the match tie-breaker.
It took them an hour and eight minutes to surprise the French-Serbian pair.
Bhupathi and Bopanna joined forces at the start of this year in a move to prepare for the Olympics, where they will be bidding to win India’s first Gold Medal in tennis.
Giving an interview a couple of weeks back, Bopanna said, "Bhupathi and me are still getting adjusted to each other. We are learning from our strengths and weaknesses. Yes it does take a while before we strike a right chord (to
meet big challenges ahead).’
The Indian added, "I have learnt a lot from Bhupathi. He is an experienced player and has played at highest level ... this helps.”
Bhupathi and Bopanna will lock horns with either Lukasz Kubot and Janko Tipsarevic or second seeds, Max Mirnyi and Daniel Nestor, in the semi-finals.
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