Bopanna/ Qureshi defeated by Dolgopolov/ Malisse in the semi-final of the BNP Paribas Open
Ukrainian/Belgian pair of Alexandr Dolgopolov and Xavier Malisse defeated “The Indo-Pak Express” Rohan Bopanna and Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi 3-6, 6-3, 10-8 in the semi-final of the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells on Thursday.
Dologopolov and Malisse did not have a good start to the match. They were broken early in the first set and could not break back, losing the set 3-6.
The Ukrainian/Belgian pair served terribly in the first set, making five double faults and hitting just 48 per cent of the first serves. However, they managed to win 75 per cent points on it. On the other hand, Bopanna and Qureshi
fired in 4 aces and a single double fault in the opening set. They delivered 43 per cent of the first serves and converted 83 per cent of them into points.
In the second set, Dolgopolov and Malisse broke the Indo-Pak pair in the fourth game to take a 3-1 lead. However, Bopanna and Qureshi broke back immediately and held their serve in the next game to level the set at 3-3. Dolgopolov
and Malisse broke again in the eighth game, taking a 5-3 lead. Serving for the set, they held their serve to win the set 6-3.
The Ukrainian/Belgian pair served pretty well in the second set as they hit 6 aces and 52 per cent of the first serves. Dolgopolov and Malisse won amazingly 100 per cent of the points on their first serve. In comparison, Bopanna
and Qureshi fired in 4 aces and 84 per cent of the first serves in the second set. They won 62 per cent of the points on their first serve.
Dolgopolov and Malisse converted 2 of the 3 break points they received in the second set. The duo saved 1 of the 2 break points they faced in the second set.
In the match tie-break, Qureshi double faulted to give the Ukrainian/Belgian pair a mini-break. They capitalized on the single mini-break, winning the match tie-break 10-8.
Dolgopolov and Malisse delivered 56 per cent of the first serves in the match tie-break, winning a whopping 100 per cent of the points on them. While, Bopanna and Qureshi hit 67 per cent of the first serves and converted 83 per
cent of them into points.
This is the first tournament of Dologopolov and Malisse as a pair. In the quarter-final, the duo defeated Murray brothers 6-7(7), 6-3, 10-8. They upset the top seeds Bob Bryan and Mike Bryan of USA 7-5, 6-7(9), 10-7 in the second
round.
Dolgopolov and Malisse will face either Rafael Nadal/Marc Lopez of Spain or Roger Federer/Stanislas Wawrinka of Switzerland in the final.
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